Of paths, the Eightfold Path is best, Of truths, the four statements are best; Of qualities, dispassion is the best, Of two-legged beings, the one with eyes (clear vision) is best.
– DhammaPada Verse 273
The picture is showing a garden hose (on the left) that has mud stuck inside as producing muddy water even when clean water is passed through one end (when one is starting out in applying the noble eightfold path). Slowly but surely, as one continues passing the clean water, the mud that is stuck inside (unwholesome mental qualities emerging from the deep-rooted defilements) gets cleared out and the garden hose also produces clean water (on the right).
Related Teachings:
The noble eightfold path is a comprehensive collection of training guidelines that one should practice for the ending of the unwholesome mental qualities and for the benefits of enlightened mental qualities shine through.
Analysis of the Eightfold Path (SN 45.8) - The Buddha presents the eightfold path together with a detailed analysis of each factor. It should be assumed that these explanations apply wherever the eightfold path is taught.
EightFold Path and the Teaching Link / Training Guideline
- Right View: Right view gradually emerges as one is learning with the Buddha’s teachings: closely examining and reflecting and/or applying them in practice to independently verify.
- Right Intention: Developing the mind by classifying thoughts into two categories
- Right Speech: Five factors of well-spoken speech (AN 5.198) ↗️
- Right Action: Observe for any harm prior to acting, while acting or after acting. Rejoice when no harm is produced and learn when any harm is produced.
- Right Livelihood: Avoiding Wrong Livelihood (AN 5.177)
- Right Effort: Cultivating the faculty of persistence as in Five Faculties and Way of Practice (SN 48.10, SN 48.18)
- Right Mindfulness: Cultivating the faculty of mindfulness as in Five Faculties and Way of Practice (SN 48.10, SN 48.18)
- Right Collectedness (Concentration): Cultivating the faculty of collectedness as in Five Faculties and Way of Practice (SN 48.10, SN 48.18)