The Noble Eight fold Path

(The Fourth Noble Truth :  Magga : The Path)

3. Right Livelihood

The third and the last member of the morality group is right livelihood which entails not dealing in arms & lethal weapons, animals for slaughter, human beings, intoxicating drinks, and poison. Though the Buddha mentioned only a few, there are , as we know, many wrong ways of earning a living.

The precept about right livelihood was designed to bring true happiness to the individual and society and to promote unity and proper relations among people. Unjust and wrong ways of living apply to individuals, families and nations.

Words and acts are thoughts manifested. In Buddhism both motive and effect should be taken into consideration. However good the motive may be, if the effect is not going to be healthy, we should refrain from such misguided words and deeds.

4. Right Effort

Effort in Buddhism implies mental energy and not physical strength.  The right effort spoken of by the Buddha is instrumental in eliminating  evil and harmful thoughts, and in promoting and maintaining good and healthy thoughts.

The function of the right effort is fourfold, to prevent , abandon, develop and maintain.

1. What is the effort to prevent?

    It is the putting forth ones will to prevent the arising of evil, of unwholesome thoughts that have arisen.  One has to strive, and develop energy and strengthen his mind

2. What is the effort to abandon?

     It is putting forth ones will to abandon the evil, unwholesome thoughts that have arisen. 

3. What is the effort to develop?

    It is putting forth ones will to produce and develop wholesome thoughts that have arisen.

4. What is the effort to maintain?

    It is to maintain a favourable  object of concentration(meditation).

The unwholesome thoughts referred to here are the three root causes of all evil, namely: thoughts of craivng, hate and delusion. All other passions gather round these root cdauses, while wholesome thoughts are their opposites.

The sole purpose of this fourfold effort is success in meditation. The  four right efforts are the requisites for right concentration.