Page 84 - The Buddha‘s Noble Eightfold Path

Perfect Action

With the fourth stage of the Noble Eightfold Path we come
from Perfect Speech to Perfect Action, known in Sanskrit as

samyak-karmanta (Pali samma-kammanta). This is the third
stage of the Path of Transformation, and represents the

descent into, and transformation of, all one's activities by
Perfect Vision, the first stage of the Noble Eightfold Path, which
also constitutes the Path of Vision. Karmanta is just 'action', in

the literal sense.so that no lengthy explanations of the meaning
of the term are required, while samyak, as has already been

insisted, is that which is whole, integral, complete, perfect. One
should therefore speak not simply of Right Action but rather of
Perfect Action.

Inevitably there arises the question of what is Perfect Action?

The question is a very important one, bringing us as it does
straight to the heart of ethics, and compelling us to enquire
into the fundamental principles of the subject. What is it that

makes some acts right? What is it that makes others wrong or
imperfect? Is there any universally valid criterion in the light

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