Buddha's simple recipe for freedom and peace

According to Buddha, life is full of suffering caused by our desires. We are caught up in the endless cycle of rebirth. One could be free and at peace if able to get rid of desires. It can be attained by following the ‘Noble Eightfold Path’.

1. Be kind, truthful, and practice right speech: One should refrain from verbal misdeeds. Lying, abusing, harsh speech, senseless speech should be avoided. Do not slander others or speak in a way that causes disharmony or enmity.

2. Be honest, peaceful, and practice the right action: Avoid misdeeds like physical abuse, stealing, sexual misconduct, or hurting anyone using strength. Do not take life or cause others to take life.

3. Find the right livelihood which does not harm any being: Do not get involved in any kind of trade that directly or indirectly harms others, such as human trafficking, smuggling of weapons, intoxicants, or slaughter of animals.

4. Cultivate self-control and practice the right effort: Do not let the world shake you. Take the effort to prevent negative thoughts arising in the first place, and sustain and grow positive thoughts.

5. Practice right mindfulness: Be aware of the state of your mind, body, feelings, thought, and situation. Mindfulness helps you to find out the causes and sources of suffering thereby enabling the path to enlightenment.

6. Concentrate on the meaning of life and practice right meditation: The mind rushes in aimless directions. Meditation helps to streamline thoughts and have a still mind, leading to single-mindedness.

7. The worth of the sincere and intelligent person is through right thoughts: In life, we come across some people we might not like. But avoid thoughts of hatred and harmful intent. Have the right intentions and avoid thoughts of attachment.

8. Cultivate right understanding and avoid superstition: Buddha taught that whatever happens does so because of a cause and not luck. Obtain the correct view, and have an accurate understanding of the nature of things before you act.

Take the Middle Path: The character of the Noble Eightfold Path that leads to liberation is the Middle Path. It is the avoidance of two extremes of practical life: indulgence in sensual pleasures; and severe asceticism.