The Three Learnings and the Eightfold Path

Hi all,

I found this chart in one of my handy Japanese-language books on Buddhism and I decided to reproduce on Canva, translate, and post here (the original looked much nicer, btw):

The Noble Eightfold Path is one of those foundational teachings that transcends culture and sect. The Buddha (a.k.a. Shakyamuni) taught that making “right”, as in conducive to the Dharma, lifestyle choices led to greater well-being, peace with others and ultimately progress on the Buddhist path toward Awakening.

Thus he divided it up into this path into eight components:

1. right view
2. right intention
3. right speech
4. right conduct
5. right livelihood
6. right effort
7. right mindfulness, and
8. right concentration

Some of these are kind of self-evident, others are somewhat abstract. Plus, the list is hard to remember. So, I found this chart really handy, because the eight aspects can be put into three “buckets” known as the Three Learnings.

The Three Learnings, meaning the three things to cultivate on the Buddhist path, are:

1. Goodwill
2. Precepts, and
3. Practice, particularly meditation

If you think of Buddhism as a table with three legs, you need all three, or the table falls over. But while upholding these three aspects, you are also following the Eightfold path.

The precepts part comprises body and speech and livelihood (making an honest, ethical living), while goodwill comprises of view and intention. Finally, the practice part comprises of mindfulness and concentration, two things that arise with meditation.

But all of these require a level of consistent effort. Hence the chart showed Right Effort as a foundation for the others.

Anyhow, I hope this helps. If you like it, please feel free to use the chart.

Namu Shakamuni Butsu