Expert: Justin Choo - 4/25/2011

Question
I am doing an assignment for school.  I need to demonstrate with examples how the Eightfold Path be applied to contemporary Canadian society.  For each of the eight, I need problem which would arise if I didn't follow the path and the second would be the right view.

Answer
Hi Linda,

I don't quite understand what you really want.  The Eightfold Path is universal.  It applies to whichever country or for that matter whichever person.  The Path is in the affirmation.  What would happen if the path is not followed, will be the negative aspect.  In very simple explanation, it goes like this:

Right View : Without proper understanding of the real nature of existence, the person is misled and confused.

Right Thought : With a confused mind, this person will not be able to think correctly.

Right Speech : If this person can't think correctly, this person cannot speak likewise.

Right Action : With incorrect thoughts and speech, this person will act and react incorrectly.

Right Livelihood : With all the imperfection and flaws, this person will associate with unwholesome occupation and lifestyle.

Right Effort : This person will neither be able to make right effort to reduce the unwholesome actions nor to improve on the wholesome activities.

Right Mindfulness : This person has no idea of what mindfulness of the realities of life is all about.

Right Concentration : This person's mind is not trained to be calmed and guarded. This person cannot experience mental calmness and liberation, for this person lacks all the above 7 factors.


Hope this helps, and may you succeed in your studies.

Take care.

Justin Choo