This series was conducted over six consecutive Saturdays. The last workshop finishes at 2.30pm, because of the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The Buddha in the Four Noble Truths identified the Noble Eightfold Path, that is the path that leads to the cessation of suffering.

Workshop I (parts 1-3) | 20 February 2021 | Ajahn Brahmali and Venerable Mudito


Noble Eightfold Path Workshop 1 Part 1 Slides

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Introduction and overview

  • The meaning of ariya atthaṅgika magga
  • Four noble truths and Noble Eightfold Path
  • The eight factors in brief, the meaning of sammā
  • Conditional sequence of Noble Eightfold Path
  • Root causes of the path: kalyāna-mittas and yoniso manasikāra
  • The results of the path: 10-fold “path”
  • Noble Eightfold Path and dependent origination
  • Context
  • Comparison with other ways of teaching the path
  • Similes for Noble Eightfold Path

Recommended reading: MN 117, SN 12.65, SN 22.84, SN 35.245, SN 45.1, SN 45.2, SN 45.4, SN 45.5, SN 45.6, SN 45.14, SN 45.55, SN 45.91, SN 55.5, SN 56.11, AN 4.34, AN 5.196, AN 10.2, AN 10.61, AN 10.206.

 

Workshop II (parts 4-6) | 27 February 2021 | Ajahn Brahmali and Venerable Mudito 


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This part 6 video has been repaired, because about 7 minutes was muted and the back up audio was inserted.

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Myths and Right View

  • Myths and misconceptions
    • All paths are different ways up the same mountain
      • Bodhisatta path is an alternative to Noble Eightfold Path
    • The factors can be practised in any sequence
    • Not all eight factors are equally important
      • Right view is not required
      • Morality is less important
      • Right mindfulness is sufficient
      • Right stillness is not required
    • Don’t attach to the path
    • When you reach the end of the path, you let it go
  • Right view:
    • Degrees of right view: ordinary and noble
    • Theoretical and practical right view
    • Definition: knowing the 4NT, especially suffering, ordinary and noble
      • Suffering of not being moral
      • Suffering of sensory realm
      • Suffering of saṃsāra

Recommended reading: MN 54, MN 117, SN 45.1, SN 45.8, SN 15.

 

Workshop III (parts 7-9) | 6 March 2021 | Ajahn Brahmali and Venerable Mudito 


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More right view and right intention

  • Ordinary right view
    • Seeing the external world as problematic
      • Non-delight in the entire world
      • Similes of birds and borrowed goods
    • Understanding people as non-self: love and compassion
  • Right intention:
    • Definition
    • Different approaches: motivation, aim, purpose, goal
    • Connection to right view

Recommended reading: MN 41, MN 54, SN 45.1, SN 45.8, AN 5.162.

 

Workshop IV (parts 10-12) | 13 March 2021 | Ajahn Brahmali and Bhante Bodhidhaja

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Fundamentals of morality

  • Buddhist morality: a pragmatic and flexible system of ethics
  • The basis of Buddhist morality:
    • Not hurting oneself or others
    • Not acting from defilement
  • Morality as shades of grey
  • Unwholesome habits and overcoming them
  • Results of sīla
  • Significance of sīla

Recommended reading: MN 88, SN 47.3, AN 3.23, AN 3.69, AN 3.235, AN 4.233, AN 4.238, AN 5.130, AN 7.15.

 

Workshop V (parts 13-15) | 20 March 2021 | Ajahn Brahmali and Bhante Bodhidhaja

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Right speech, action, and livelihood

  • Right speech
    • Definition, sequence, degrees
    • Criticism: is it always wrong?
  • Right action
    • Definition, sequence, degrees
    • Alcohol
    • Vegetarianism
    • Abortion
    • Euthanasia
  • Connection to five precepts, including intoxication
  • Further aspects of sīla
  • Right livelihood
    • Definition, degrees

Recommended reading: DN 31, MN 55, SN 45.8, AN 5.177.

Workshop VI (parts 16-17) | 27 March 2021 | Ajahn Brahmali and Bhante Bodhidhaja


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Right effort and summary

  • The four right efforts:
    • Definition
    • Detail
  • The power of reflection
    • Tricky mind states
    • 2 mental factors of dasakusalakammpatha = contentment
    • Mindfulness and clear awareness
    • Wisdom power, not will power
    • Practical application of dealing with unskilful mind states
  • In brief: right mindfulness and right stillness
  • Overall summary

Recommended reading: MN 19, MN 54, SN 45.1, SN 45.8, SN 47.7, AN 2.12, AN 4.14, AN 5.152.

 

Lesson Plan

Time Plan
08:30 – 10:30 Session 1 (Live Streamed)
10:30 – 12:15 Lunch
12:15 – 13:00 Breakout Session
13:00 – 14:30 Session 2 (Live Streamed)
14:30 – 15:00 Afternoon break
15:00 – 16:00 Guided Meditation (Live Streamed)
16:00 – 17:30 Session 3 (Live Streamed)

Noble Eightfold Path – Program and Reading Materials

Noble eightfold path, Bhikkhu Bodhi

Note: With the last 2 factors of Right Mindfulness and Right Stillness being quite large topics on its own, they will be taught very briefly in this Workshop with opportunity for more in-depth teaching in subsequent workshops.

To download the audio, click on the audio track’s title to open it up in Podbean.

Audio teachings are available to download from our BSWA Podcast Channel (Dharma talks and guided meditations) and BSWA DeeperDhamma Podbean Channel (retreats and suttas). Videos can be viewed on our BSWA Youtube Channel and YouTube Playlists. Books and articles are available on our website here.

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