MONDAY MUSINGS SEASON 2 - EPISODE 378

10th August 2026

Eightfold Path

#EightfoldPath is the best route to attain liberation as per buddhism. I explained the first three of the eight guidance in the last episode of #MondayMusings. Let me complete the rest of the eight.

“Of paths the Eightfold one is best, and of truths the Fourfold. Dispassion is the best of mental states, and of human beings the best is the seer” (Dhammapada 273)

1.    Right Action – Uchita Karma

Right Action (karmanta) can also be translated as Right Conduct. This is according to the codes established by the teachers of wisdom, including the five precepts of Buddhism: No lying, no stealing, no injury (of others or oneself), no immorality, and no intoxication. More complete is the yama (Don’ts) and niyama (Do’s) of the Yoga Sutras.

One thing is certain: the code of Right Conduct must be as broad, as all-inclusive, as possible,

2.    Right Livelihood – Uchita ajiva

This is an exceedingly broad precept, based on many moral principles. It is not just that we must abstain from livelihood that breaks those principles, we must engage in livelihood that embodies them. Apart from not harming others, our livelihood must benefit others.

Scrupulous honesty on all levels is mandatory. Further, livelihood encompasses our relationships with others such as suppliers, employees, government regulations, promotion (advertising)–every single aspect of business. And it also includes the highest standards in all aspects, as well.

3.    Right Effort – Uchita vyayama

Right Effort (vyayama) can also be translated as Right Endeavor. It is both doing the right thing and doing it in the right way. Here, too, the determination of “right” must be exceedingly broad and scrupulous. This includes action and acting in the right and beneficial and dharmic way. Right Effort has Nirvana for its goal. This, too, does not admit of superficiality, mere dabbling, or moseying along through life.

4.    Right Mindfulness – Uchita smriti

Smriti means memory in the sense of keeping in mind what should be remembered, in other words holding the right perspective on things. Equivalent of smriti in Pali is sati which means awareness and attention, as well.

This does not mean being totally absorbed “in the present moment” or in every tiny external activity. Rather, this principle means that we must never for a moment permit the right perspective to slip from our minds, and we must also remain fully conscious of our inner being, not letting it be overshadowed by externals. Our attention must be mostly focused inwardly and only peripherally on outward things. However, our outer attention must be so perfectly clear that we do all outer activities well and carefully.

Right Mindfulness includes being aware of the character of everything around us and the implications of all situations. It also means evaluating and responding to them in exactly the right way. It also entails knowing what should be paid attention to and what should be ignored.

5.    Right Concentration – Uchita samadhi

This simply referred to the state of meditative concentration. Focus and concentration on all efforts.

Eightfold path is not just a dharmic path for the individuals. Eightfold path has the power to liberate organizations from chronic challenges and is the right path for growth.

In summary, eightfold path for growth is:

1.     Good vision

2.     Good intention / determination / resolution

3.     Good communication

4.     Good conduct / actions

5.     Good team work / how can be beneficial to others

6.     Good efforts, hard-work,

7.     Good awareness, attention, being in the presence, mindfulness

8.     Good concentration in whatever we do

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#PositiveNewsPage

The contingent from India performed exceptionally well winning many laurels in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games-2026. But this story of ‘rising from the ashes’ is the highlight of CWG-2026.

Sharmila Dhankar, a F57 shot-putter, hails from a small village Chautrali in Haryana and was born to a small-time farmer while her mother was visually impaired. She struggled with her life since she was only two as she was afflicted by polio. The condition affected her leg movement, but she continued with her education and daily life.

The world was not all glittering for Sharmila. Each step was full of struggles. Sharmila married at a young age and her first marriage became a difficult period of her life. She faced physical abuse linked to dowry demands and later faced pressure after giving birth to two daughters. She eventually left her first marriage and returned to her parents with her two daughters. Her family supported her during this phase as she started rebuilding her life.

Just after the second marriage, with her husband egging her on, Sharmila turned her attention to para-athletics at the age of 34. Under Tek Chand’s guidance, Sharmila trained at Tula Ram Stadium in Rewari and developed her skills in shot put.

Sharmila represented India at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where she finished fourth in the women’s shot put F57 event. She also competed at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.

Her biggest achievement came at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Competing in the women’s shot put F57 event, Sharmila produced a season-best throw of 9.81 metres to win gold.

The victory made her India’s first Commonwealth Games para athletics gold medallist.

Champions do not get deterred by hardships. They turn the challenges to opportunities. Can we also?

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Conceived, compiled and posted as a weekly motivational newsletter #MondayMusings every Monday by Jaganathan T (www.authorjaganathan.com)

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PROMOTIONS