The Value of Ethical Conduct

On the previous post I wrote about the first two parts of the Eightfold Path. Today, I would like to continue this post with the following three parts of the Eightfold Path; right speech, right actions, and right livelihood. These three are often grouped as the ethical aspects of the Eightfold Path.

The Right Speech

Speech is the most common way humans interact with each other. Speech can save or break lives, make enemies or make friends, start a war or create peace. For this reason, it is important to practice the right speech.

There are few rules that will identify if one uses the right speech:

1. Don't deceive other with it or tell deliberate lies.
2. Don't speak with malicious intent
3. Don't speak to hurt others
4. Use speech to dispel ignorance

The Right Actions

Our actions allows use to have an effect on our surroundings. The fact that I'm typing this blog right now is because an action that I control is taking place between my fingers and the keyboard. It's my effect to the world. Every actions we make effects our outside surroundings. Therefore, it is critical that we take the right actions to insure right consequences.

The Right Livelihood

It is important to live in the right manner. The source of income or food or shelter should not come from unlawful behavior. In todays world, this rule is a little dogmatic. Since there are many professions today, powerful ones at that, that would be considered unlawful such as lawyers or congress.

Conclusion

There it is, the next three of the Eightfold Path. At a later post I should cover that last three.