Philip V. Starkman on the Eightfold Path

Continuing on from his earlier discussion with Toronto Body Mind on the Four Noble Truths, Philip V. Starkman provides further insight into the last of the four truths, the Eightfold Path.

The Four Noble Truths are an outgrowth of the Buddha’s encounter with suffering and emerged in his classical teaching about the experiential nature of suffering and ending suffering.  Forming the core of Buddhist teachings, at their most fundamental, the Truths are directed at our awareness and contemplation of suffering: its acceptance, recognition, cessation, and the practice of its elimination.  In his earlier interview, Philip outlines the truths as follows:

1. Life is suffering
2. The origins of suffering are tied to attachment, anger, and delusion
3. The cessation of suffering
4. The path to the cessation of suffering

In this video excerpt, Philip expands upon the fourth Noble Truth, or “the way out [of suffering], the exit so to speak.”  This path provides a practical guide to overcoming suffering and to the cultivation of inner peace.  The eight precepts of the path, as Philip explains, are divided into three sections—wisdom, morality, and concentration—all of which, however, are viewed as interdependent, not sequential, and which are to therefore be practiced simultaneously.  Practicing the eight precepts, particularly those attributed to the morality or ethics section, are critical because it is the practical implementation of right action that will “set the stage for living a life that’s conducive” to attaining higher states of experience and enlightenment.  In addition to a more detailed discussion of the eight precepts, Philip also identifies the significance of a middle path approach to the cessation of suffering in its everyday application.

Philip V. Starkman is the founder of the Toronto-based Spring Rain Sangha, a mindful meditation group at which he teaches meditation with his co-instructor, Jim Bedard.  Having practiced meditation for over 40 years, Philip is also a psychotherapist with a private practice in downtown Toronto. 

For further information on the Four Noble Truths and Buddhist studies, please view our earlier interview with Philip, or refer to Thanissaro Bhikkhu’s Buddhism study guide, available through Access to Insight and listed in the reference section below.