"According to the universal Law of Cause and Effect, we reap what we
sow, and there is no higher authority who wilfully rewards deeds that
are good and punishes those that are evil.
It is a similar situation to a person walking up a staircase, who may
fall down if he is not careful enough, and thus will be responsible for
any painful outcome.
According to Buddhism, wholesome deeds naturally produce pleasant
results and unwholesome actions naturally produce unpleasant
consequences.
Those who do not understand the working of this natural Law of Cause and
Effect may think that the teaching regarding it is mere utilitarianism.
In fact, the fundamental criterion in Buddhism for distinguishing
wholesome from unwholesome actions, by reasonable means, is the
character of their impact upon human relationships.
Those actions which are in accord with the law of morality, and which
will generate good results, are regarded as wholesome.
Those actions that are unreasonable and harmful to ourselves and to
others, and which sow seeds for a bitterly fruitful harvest of
suffering, are regarded as unwholesome.
This is not mere utilitarianism, but is the natural law by which our
society necessarily abides. Such natural law can motivate and encourage
people to act positively and to promote the life we truly share,
honoring the morality which truly serves our common life."
http://www.buddhanet.net/cbp2_f5.htm
<http://www.buddhanet.net/cbp2_f5.htm>
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4. Right Action
The second ethical principle, right action, involves the body as natural
means of expression, as it refers to deeds that involve bodily actions.
Unwholesome actions lead to unsound states of mind, while wholesome
actions lead to sound states of mind. Again, the principle is explained
in terms of abstinence: right action means 1. to abstain from harming
sentient beings, especially to abstain from taking life (including
suicide) and doing harm intentionally or delinquently, 2. to abstain
from taking what is not given, which includes stealing, robbery, fraud,
deceitfulness, and dishonesty, and 3. to abstain from sexual misconduct.
Positively formulated, right action means to act kindly and
compassionately, to be honest, to respect the belongings of others, and
to keep sexual relationships harmless to others. Further details
regarding the concrete meaning of right action can be found in the
Precepts <precepts.html> .
6. Right Effort
Right effort can be seen as a prerequisite for the other principles of
the path. Without effort, which is in itself an act of will, nothing can
be achieved, whereas misguided effort distracts the mind from its task,
and confusion will be the consequence. Mental energy is the force behind
right effort; it can occur in either wholesome or unwholesome states.
The same type of energy that fuels desire, envy, aggression, and
violence can on the other side fuel self-discipline, honesty,
benevolence, and kindness. Right effort is detailed in four types of
endeavours that rank in ascending order of perfection: 1. to prevent the
arising of unarisen unwholesome states, 2. to abandon unwholesome states
that have already arisen, 3. to arouse wholesome states that have not
yet arisen, and 4. to maintain and perfect wholesome states already
arisen.
8. Right Concentration
The eighth principle of the path, right concentration, refers to the
development of a mental force that occurs in natural consciousness,
although at a relatively low level of intensity, namely concentration.
Concentration in this context is described as one-pointedness of mind,
meaning a state where all mental faculties are unified and directed onto
one particular object. Right concentration for the purpose of the
eightfold path means wholesome concentration, i.e. concentration on
wholesome thoughts and actions. The Buddhist method of choice to develop
right concentration is through the practice of meditation. The
meditating mind focuses on a selected object. It first directs itself
onto it, then sustains concentration, and finally intensifies
concentration step by step. Through this practice it becomes natural to
apply elevated levels concentration also in everyday situations.
http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/eightfoldpath.html
<http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/eightfoldpath.html>
