Right Views

The Fourth Noble Truth outlines the path to eliminating craving, the root cause of dukkha. Dukkha means the inherent unsatisfactoriness and suffering in life. Understanding this is crucial.

A significant obstacle for modern individuals is the ingrained belief that craving is inherently good. Our consumer-driven society champions endless desire for “better” things: the latest phone with superfluous features, a house with far more rooms than needed. These are presented as markers of success, not as potential sources of suffering.

To counteract this conditioning, we must actively cultivate a new understanding: that dukkha stems directly from craving. This process of developing the right perspective—or “right view”—is central to Buddhist practice. The Noble Eightfold Path, as described in the Buddha’s teachings, emphasizes this:

“Monks, what is the noble eightfold path? Right view, right intent, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. And what is right view? Knowledge with regard to Dukkha, knowledge with regard to the origination of Dukkha, knowledge with regard to the cessation of Dukkha, knowledge with regard to the way of practice leading to the cessation of Dukkha: This is called right view.”

Developing this “right view” begins with faith—faith in the Buddha’s teachings (the Dharma) or in the Buddha himself. The path to faith varies: some find it through the Buddha’s life story, others through contemplation of the Dharma’s benefits, and still others through the influence of others. For example, the early Tibetan Buddhists relied on Padmasambhava’s influence. Thus, having faith in their guru becomes a primary practice. Ultimately, a logical conclusion should emerge: the Buddha’s teachings are beneficial and cause no harm. This provides the motivation to learn and apply them.

Understanding the Middle Way and the Four Noble Truths is essential. The Middle Way advocates a balanced approach, avoiding extremes of self-denial and excessive indulgence. The goal is to gradually cultivate wisdom and insight, thus, gradually lessening the influence of craving.

Acquiring right view unfolds in two stages. Initially, we consciously strive to internalize the various perspectives. With familiarity, they become ingrained, much like the societal conditioning we’re aiming to overcome. This is a conscious choice to live by these principles. This process is known as developing the right view. The ultimate stage arrives when we experience the truth directly, our views then, become unshakeable. Only then, can we claim that right view has been developed.

It is important to note that Buddha never taught us to have no views. That goal of becoming viewless was championed by one of the Sramana sects deemed heretical within Buddhism. Enlightenment doesn’t mean we suddenly condone crime and misdeeds, unable to differentiate right from wrong. If that is true, Buddha would not have made an effort to stop a war or stop a huge sacrificial ritual.

Beyond the Four Noble Truths, Buddhists cultivate various perspectives on life and reality: views on emptiness, causality (karma), non-violence, and more. Different schools and teachers emphasize different aspects. The key is to discern right from wrong views. The Four Noble Truths, however, remain foundational and should be our fundamental views about life and happiness. It guides us from beginning to end.

Right Intention

The Buddha describes Right Intention as a vital component of the Noble Eightfold Path, emphasizing three key aspects:

• Intention to be free from craving: This refers to releasing ourselves from the relentless pursuit of desires, which often leads to suffering.
• Intention to be free from ill will: Cultivating a mind free from hatred, anger, and resentment towards ourselves and others.
• Intention of harmlessness: Acting in ways that cause no harm to ourselves or others, fostering a spirit of kindness and compassion.

Intention, in essence, is the driving force behind our actions, words, and thoughts. By setting a positive intention, we shape our thoughts, words, and deeds accordingly. On the other hand, if our minds are consumed by ill-will, our thoughts, speech, and actions will reflect negativity.

To genuinely embrace the intention of abstaining from ill will, we need to believe in its inherent value—that it brings benefit to both ourselves and the world. Then we will strive to rid ourselves of ill-will and the best antidote against ill-will is the practice of loving kindness.

In practice, that means creating a conscious intention to be loving and kind. We proactively try our best to react with love and kindness towards all situations.

The intention to be harmless and free from ill will creates a powerful positive energy within us. It guides us towards loving-kindness, both for ourselves and others.

This principle is particularly relevant in today’s world, where we are bombarded with messages that promote dissatisfaction and endless craving. The constant barrage of advertising, societal expectations, and media portrayals often instill a sense of inadequacy, leading to a hatred of our bodies and appearances. We are taught to equate beauty with thinness, specific features, and even skin color, leading to self-loathing and a constant striving for unattainable ideals.

Becoming a Buddhist involves a conscious shift in intention, moving away from ill-will and towards harmlessness. We also actively embrace the understanding that reducing craving leads to genuine happiness and fulfillment, and we strive to live a lifestyle that reflects this principle. This means consciously lowering our cravings and desires, finding contentment in the present moment, and cultivating a life of compassion and kindness.

The intent to be free from craving is also known as the intent for Nirvana. The intent to be free from Dukkha. But remembering it as intent to be free from craving ensures that we won’t miss the point. After all, the idea of Nirvana remains much misunderstood by many.

Right View and Right Intention is therefore all about changing the way we think and how we react to situations in life. It is a conscious effort to reprogram our minds so that we develop new positive habits, tendencies and perspectives. By following these instructions, we give ourselves a second chance to experience the benefits of Dharma.

May all be well and happy.