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Eight factors, three trainings

Eightfold Path Explorer

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Explore the Noble Eightfold Path one factor at a time. Choose a spoke of the wheel to read the Buddha’s own definition of that factor, from the discourse that analyses the path (SN 45.8), see which of the three trainings it belongs to, and take one question into your day. A different factor comes up each day.

1 of 8 · Wisdom (paññā)

Right view

sammā-diṭṭhi
Knowing about suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.
The Buddha's definition: Analysis (SN 45.8), trans. Bhikkhu Sujato

A question to carry today. Notice one moment today when wanting things to be otherwise made a situation harder.

Read our guide: Right view →
Right view and right purpose: these things are included in the spectrum of wisdom.
Where it belongs: The Shorter Elaboration (MN 44), words of the nun Dhammadinnā, trans. Bhikkhu Sujato

What you mark as practised is kept in this browser only.

Where the definitions come from

In the discourse called Analysis (SN 45.8), the Buddha names the eight factors and then defines each one, and those definitions are what the explorer shows, in Bhikkhu Sujato’s public-domain translation. Some are a single line, such as right speech; others, like right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration, set out a whole practice. The discourse is addressed to monks, which is why its right action includes abstaining from unchastity; where the lay precept differs, the explorer says so. For each factor in depth, follow the link to our guide, or read the whole Noble Eightfold Path.

Two orders: the path and its three groups

The path is listed with wisdom first, beginning from right view. Its three groups, which MN 44 calls “spectrums” of practice and other discourses call trainings, run the other way. In MN 44 the nun Dhammadinnā places right speech, action and livelihood in ethics, right effort, mindfulness and concentration in immersion, and right view and resolve in wisdom. The three, she says, are not included in the path; the path is included in them. Our guide explains why the path is better read as a weave than a ladder; the three trainings have a page of their own.

Learn the Pali terms with the flashcards, or sit with the meditation timer. See all our free tools.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I use the Eightfold Path explorer?

Choose a spoke of the wheel, or a factor from the list beside it, to read the Buddha's definition of that factor from SN 45.8, see which of the three groups it belongs to, and take one question into your day. Mark it when you have worked with it, and the count beside each factor shows how often you have.

What is today's factor?

One of the eight, in order, changing at midnight, so that over eight days you meet each factor once. It is only a suggestion: you can choose any factor at any time.

Why do translations call the factors by different names?

Because the Pali words carry more than one English sense. Sammā-saṅkappa is right resolve for Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, right purpose for Bhikkhu Sujato, and right intention in our guide to it; sammā-samādhi is right concentration or, for Sujato, right immersion. The explorer gives the Pali beside each name.

Are these definitions meant for monks?

SN 45.8 is addressed to monks, and in places it shows: its right action includes abstaining from unchastity. For lay people, the five precepts include not committing sexual misconduct (AN 5.179), and AN 5.177 names five trades a lay follower should not engage in, for right livelihood. The explorer notes both, and our guides to each factor set out the lay teaching.

Is what I mark as practised saved?

Only in your browser. Nothing is sent to us or anyone else, and there is no account.

Sources