The Eightfold Path: The Ten Commandments of Buddhism?

To me, the eightfold path seems a lot like the ten commandments. They seem to be rules and guidelines to live by.

1. Right View: Be free of prejudice, know truth, and see suffering.
2. Right Intention: Turn minds away from violence and hate, resist evil. Be compassionate.
3. Right Speech: Refrain from harmful talk, use words wisely, and don't lie. Words can hurt as much as sticks and stones. You should speak friendly and only when necessary.
4. Right Action: Don't murder, harm, steal, or rape. Be kind, respectful, honest, and harmless.
5. Right Livelihood: Earn a living in an honest way that will not hurt others. Don't deal weapons, people, alcohol, or drugs. Don't butcher animals.
6. Right Effort: Free your mind from evil (i.e. desires, aggression, and ignorance). Think only of productive and compassionate things, and push away the bad.
7. Right Mindfulness: Be in control of your feelings and thoughts. Have a good mind. Have clear perception.
8. Right Concentration: Concentrate on wholesome thoughts and actions. Meditate.

This list of "commandments" detail how one should/should not act in life. It seems very similar to a lot of other religions because it is pretty much based on having good morals, which will, ultimately, bring you to enlightenment.



I enjoy the above picture (the dharma wheel), and it's relationship with the eightfold path. It looks a lot like a ship's wheel on a pirate ship or something. It is used to stay on course, a lot like the eightfold path is, but storms will come, and the captain might lose control. The wheel, however, is always there to put the ship back on track, after the storm has passed.

I view the eightfold path as a sort of idealistic guidelines for life. Shit is going to happen. The eighfold path can get you back on track, but shit needs to happen if you are going to learn anything in this life.

Picture from: http://www.baronet4tibet.com/symbolism.html