Astangika Marga : UGC NET Philosophy Notes and Study Material

Astangika-marga might better be translated as the "Eightfold Path of the spiritually noble. The Astangika Marga, or Eightfold Path, is a core teaching in Buddhism and the practical guide for ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom. It is the fourth of the Four Noble Truths and gives a description of how to end suffering (dukkha) and finally achieve liberation (nirvana). The Eightfold Path is eight interconnected practices aimed at cultivating right actions, right understanding, and mental clarity. It is an all-inclusive guide that guides people on the way toward enlightenment. In the Eightfold Path practice, they are enabled to reduce ignorance and attachment and consequently lessen suffering as they journey to a peaceful state of awakening.

Astangika Marga is a vital topic to be studied for the psychology related exam such as the UGC NET Philosophy.

In this article the readers will be able to know about the following:

• What is Astangika Marga?
• Astangika Marga- Origin
• Astangika Marga - Explanation

What is Astangika Marga?

The Astangika Marga or Eightfold Path, is a central teaching of Buddhism with regard to how one must ultimately transcend the suffering and realize nirvana. That is the fourth of Four Noble Truths and forms the practice of wholesome action in moral conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom. There are eight elements in the path: Interdependent. The Eightfold Path allows gradual removal of ignorance and craving, followed by attachment, the main causes of sufferings, so gradually following the whole path makes one follow a balanced approach towards life, guiding them ethically and being mindful, full of wisdom, and brings them out of the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Astangika Marga- Origin

The Astangika Marga, or the Eightfold Path, derives directly from the Buddha himself, who presented it as a simple practice for the combating of suffering and attainment of liberation. It is first described in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, the Buddha's very first speech, as he describes the Four Noble Truths. As a component of the Fourth Noble Truth, the Eightfold Path emphasizes that the elimination of suffering (dukkha) can be done through a methodic path. The path was realized by the Buddha himself in the moment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree by realizing that the balanced way, neither indulgence nor extreme asceticism, shall bring the end of suffering.

An embodied methodology propounded by the Buddha, the Eightfold Path actually is a core part of his teaching. It deals with the entire transformation of the individual's mind, body, and speech; it prescribes various practices related to ethics or sila, mental discipline, or samadhi, and wisdom, or prajna. With these eight interrelated practices, one can end the cycle of craving and attachment that keeps one limited to samsara-the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It's a flexible, all-inclusive approach and a set of rules that allows practitioners to move incrementally toward spiritual development. In its practice, Buddhism brings the practitioner closer to the best, which is Nirvana, the cessation of all suffering.

Astangika Marga - Explanation

The Astangika Marga, or Eightfold Path is the way of delivering humans from suffering and achievement of enlightenment-the means to that end. It is an orderly series of eight practices that cover all subject areas-moral actions, mental culture, and wisdom-to achieve a halt to suffering and attainment of Nirvana.

Right Understanding (Sammā-Diṃ̣ṃ̣ti)

Right Understanding: right knowing of reality, understanding correctly, clearly, especially regarding the Four Noble Truths - about the cause, origin, cessation, and path leading to the end of suffering.

This is the fundamental wisdom that enables the practitioner to clearly understand the nature of impermanence and interconnectedness in life and to understand the root causes of suffering. As long as there is no right understanding, there is no possibility to continue on the path to enlightenment.

Right Intention (Sammā-Sankappa)

Right Intention addresses cultivating thoughts and intentions, which align with ethical behavior and wisdom. This creates renouncing, goodwill, and harmlessness thoughts while eliminating those with desires based on greed, hatred, and delusion. Right intention sculpts the mentality of a practitioner and directly influences their words and deeds.

Right Speech (Sammā-Vācā)

Right Speech aims to utter truthfully, kindly, and beneficially in the absence of falsehood, backbiting, carrying tales behind other people's backs, or harsh speaking. Such an exercise encourages expression that accords harmony, respect, and understanding and consequently positive relationships in society. Right speech therefore assists the practitioner to bring mindfulness and virtuous action into his way of relations.

Right Action (Sammā-Kammanta)

Right Action has to do with acting ethically and morally, following the precepts that prevent harm to others, not killing, not stealing, and abstaining from sexual misconduct, in preference to all that is conducive to kindness and integrity of heart. Right action leads to the development of wholesome behavior that fosters spiritual growth.

Right Livelihood (Sammā-Ājīva)

Right Livelihood is earning a living in a way that harms neither others nor oneself. This should include boycotting trade connected with exploitation, deceit, or violence, such as weapons, slavery, or intoxicants. A practitioner ought to take the right livelihood that will bring good luck to other beings and match the ethos of compassion and wisdom.

Right Effort (Sammā-Vāyāma)

Right Effort involves the sincere effort to bring about wholesome states of mind, with an intention to get rid of all un

wholesome states of mind resulting in adverse emotions of hatred, lust, and ignorance. It involves persistence in developing wholesome mental states like mindfulness and compassion while suppressing painful affections like anger, greed, and delusion. Such practice promotes harmonious effort toward an unperturbed and lucid mind.

Right Mindfulness (Sammā-Sati)

Right Mindfulness concentration trains students to cultivate awareness and attention in the present moment, unobscured by distraction or attachment. This type of meditation practice functions in mindfulness regarding the body, feelings, mind, and mental phenomena. This allows practitioners access to some insight into thought formations and activities. The practice aims at heightened insight and awareness and results in the abatement of suffering.

Right Concentration (Sammā-Samādhi)

Right Concentration Meditation, and more generally, the practice methods for reaching deep levels of mental concentration and focus- that is the meaning of right concentration. Developed through practices such as samatha, calm abiding, and vipassana, all these together and profoundly clear up the mind and bring insight into the nature of existence. The use of right concentration helps stabilize the mind to gain appropriate wisdom for enlightenment.

All of the Astangika Marga, together, help the practitioner lead a life that is not only morally honest and mentally alive but also profoundly wise. All these eight aspects together guide the practitioner closer to Buddhism's ultimate goal: "freedom from suffering and the realization of Nirvana."

Conclusion

In a nutshell, therefore, the Eightfold Path is that holistic and balanced approach for a combination of moral conduct, wisdom, and mental control in pursuing wholesome activities. It indicates that gradual and continuous practice toward overcoming suffering and release by inner peace can be effective. As a practical guide, the Eightfold Path is, instead of offering a series of unrelated commands, a harmonious way of living. These principles, in a person, would make him compassionate, clear-minded and aware. The practice of the Eightfold Path leads to spiritual liberation and freedom from the cycle of birth and death. Thus, the Eightfold Path is both philosophical and spiritual in the motivation toward achieving the ultimate goal of Buddhism: enlightenment and transcending suffering.

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Astangika Marga Previous Year Question

1. In the context of a Path (marga) to reach a state free from misery, as recommended by Buddha, which of the following is not amongst those eight steps or rules(also called astangika - marga)

Options. A. Right conduct 

1. Right effort
2. Right knowledge
3. Right speech

Ans. C. Right knowledge