The "Linked Discourses on the Eightfold Path" contains discourses focusing on the Noble Eightfold Path, the Buddha's core teaching on the way of practice leading to awakening. These teachings explore each factor of the path — right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right collectedness — offering guidance on how to cultivate these factors in daily life. By examining the path to awakening, these discourses provide insights into the conditions for spiritual growth and liberation.
Maggasaṁyutta - Linked Discourses on the Eightfold Path
Ignorance is the forerunner in the arising of unwholesome qualities, and wisdom is the forerunner in the arising of wholesome qualities.
When Ānanda says that good friendship is half of the spiritual life, the Buddha corrects him, saying that it is the whole of the spiritual life. The Buddha explains that good friendship is the basis for the development of the Noble Eightfold Path.
When Sāriputta says that good friendship is the whole of the spiritual life, the Buddha agrees, explaining that good friendship is the basis for the development of the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Buddha explains in detail each factor of the noble eightfold path—right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right collectedness.
The venerable Bhadda asks the venerable Ānanda about the wrong spiritual practice.
The venerable Bhadda asks the venerable Ānanda about the right spiritual practice.
The Buddha shares a simile of a water pot without a stand being easily knocked over, and likens it to a mind without support.
The noble eightfold path is the spiritual life. The fruits of the spiritual life are stream-entry, once-returning, non-returning, and arahantship.
The Buddha explains the importance of good friendship in the development and cultivation of the noble eightfold path.
The Buddha explains the importance of accomplishment in virtue, aspiration, self-development, view, and diligence in the development and cultivation of the noble eightfold path.
The Buddha explains the importance of accomplishment in wise attention in the development and cultivation of the noble eightfold path.
Good friendship is greatly beneficial for the arising, development and extensive cultivation of the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Buddha explains the importance of accomplishment in virtue, aspiration, self-development, view, and diligence in the development and cultivation of the noble eightfold path.
A bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the Noble Eightfold Path slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.
The Tathāgata is regarded the foremost among beings, and diligence is regarded the foremost among qualities.
The elephant's footprint is considered the foremost because of its size. In the same way, whatever wholesome qualities there are, they are all rooted in diligence, and they meet together in diligence; diligence is considered the foremost among the qualities.
The Buddha uses similes of a building with the peaked roof, fragrances, and regional kings to illustrate the importance of diligence in developing the Noble Eightfold Path.
The four floods of sensual pleasures, continued existence, views, and ignorance are described in brief. The Noble Eightfold Path is the way to direct knowing, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these floods.
The four bonds of sensual pleasures, continued existence, views, and ignorance are described in brief. The Noble Eightfold Path is the way to direct knowing, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these bonds.
The four knots of craving, ill-will, adherence to rules and observances, and clinging to the idea that 'This is the truth' are described in brief. The Noble Eightfold Path is the way to direct knowing, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these knots.