Page 61 - The Buddha‘s Noble Eightfold Path

Perfect Speech

At present we are treading, in imagination if not actual fact,
the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path. We are considering in turn
each stage or each aspect of that Path. We have already dealt

with the first stage or first aspect, representing the beginnings
of the Path, in terms of Perfect Vision, as also with the second

stage or aspect, Perfect Emotion, usually known as Right
Resolve.

We have seen and, I think, by this time have understood quite
clearly, that Perfect Vision, with the arising of which entry upon

the Eightfold Path takes place, is not just an intellectual
understanding of Buddhism, however clear and profound that
understanding may be, but something much more than that. It

consists in an actual insight into the true or the ultimate nature
of existence itself. In fact, though we speak of this stage or

aspect in terms of Perfect Vision, it really covers something
which is more of the nature of a spiritual experience. This
experience may be momentary: it may come and go in a flash;

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