The Noble Eightfold Path is the path and the way of practice for the realization of awakening.
“‘Arahattaṁ, arahattan’ti, āvuso sāriputta, vuccati. Katamaṁ nu kho, āvuso, arahattan”ti?
“Friend Sāriputta, it is said ‘Awakening, awakening.’ But what, friend, is this |awakening::awakened state, enlightenment [arahatta]|?”
“Yo kho, āvuso, rāgakkhayo dosakkhayo mohakkhayo—idaṁ vuccati arahattan”ti.
“Friend, the |wearing away of passion::exhaustion of intense desire, ending of strong emotions, infatuation, obsession, lust [rāgakkhaya]|, the |wearing away of aversion::ending of ill will, extinction of hatred [dosakkhaya]|, the |wearing away of delusion::wearing away of illusion, ending of hallucination, ending of misperceptions and distorted views [mohakkhaya]|—this is called awakening.”
“Atthi panāvuso, maggo atthi paṭipadā etassa arahattassa sacchikiriyāyā”ti?
“Friend, is there a path, is there a way of practice leading to the realization of awakening?”
“Atthi kho, āvuso, maggo atthi paṭipadā etassa arahattassa sacchikiriyāyā”ti.
“Friend, there is indeed a path, there is a way of practice, for the realization of this awakening.”
“Katamo panāvuso, maggo katamā paṭipadā etassa arahattassa sacchikiriyāyā”ti?
“And what, friend, is the path, what is the way of practice [is there] for the realization of awakening?”
“Ayameva kho, āvuso, ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo etassa arahattassa sacchikiriyāya, seyyathidaṁ—sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi. Ayaṁ kho, āvuso, maggo, ayaṁ paṭipadā etassa arahattassa sacchikiriyāyā”ti.
“Friend, this Noble Eightfold Path itself is the way to realize awakening, namely — |right view::view that is in line with the Dhamma - teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [sammādiṭṭhi]|, |right intention::intention of renunciation, goodwill, and harmlessness; the resolve to let go of craving, ill will, and cruelty, cultivating thoughts that lead to peace and liberation [sammāsaṅkappa]|, |right speech::speech that is purified by abstaining from falsehood, divisive talk, harsh words, and idle chatter [sammāvācā]|, |right action::action that upholds ethical integrity by abstaining from killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct; bodily conduct aligned with harmlessness and honesty [sammākammanta]|, |right livelihood::means of living that does not cause harm to others or oneself; earning a living ethically without deceit, exploitation, or violence [sammāājīva]|, |right effort::energy and effort directed toward abandoning unwholesome mental states and qualities, and cultivating wholesome ones [sammāvāyāma]|, |right mindfulness::mindfulness that discerns the body, feelings, mind, and mental qualities clearly, grounded in diligent, non-forgetful attention to the present moment [sammāsati]|, and |right collectedness::perfect stability of mind, correct mental composure [sammāsamādhi]|. This, friend, is the path; this is the way of practice for the realization of awakening.”
“Bhaddako, āvuso, maggo bhaddikā paṭipadā etassa arahattassa sacchikiriyāya. Alañca panāvuso sāriputta, appamādāyā”ti.
“|Auspicious::fine, excellent [bhaddaka]| is the path, friend, auspicious is the way of practice for the realization of awakening. And it is enough, friend Sāriputta, for [arousing] |diligence::quality of wishing to do one’s work or duty well, with alertness, carefulness and care [appamāda]|.”
“Friend Sāriputta, it is said ‘Awakening, awakening.’ But what, friend, is this |awakening::awakened state, enlightenment [arahatta]|?”
“Friend, the |wearing away of passion::exhaustion of intense desire, ending of strong emotions, infatuation, obsession, lust [rāgakkhaya]|, the |wearing away of aversion::ending of ill will, extinction of hatred [dosakkhaya]|, the |wearing away of delusion::wearing away of illusion, ending of hallucination, ending of misperceptions and distorted views [mohakkhaya]|—this is called awakening.”
“Friend, is there a path, is there a way of practice leading to the realization of awakening?”
“Friend, there is indeed a path, there is a way of practice, for the realization of this awakening.”
“And what, friend, is the path, what is the way of practice [is there] for the realization of awakening?”
“Friend, this Noble Eightfold Path itself is the way to realize awakening, namely — |right view::view that is in line with the Dhamma - teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [sammādiṭṭhi]|, |right intention::intention of renunciation, goodwill, and harmlessness; the resolve to let go of craving, ill will, and cruelty, cultivating thoughts that lead to peace and liberation [sammāsaṅkappa]|, |right speech::speech that is purified by abstaining from falsehood, divisive talk, harsh words, and idle chatter [sammāvācā]|, |right action::action that upholds ethical integrity by abstaining from killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct; bodily conduct aligned with harmlessness and honesty [sammākammanta]|, |right livelihood::means of living that does not cause harm to others or oneself; earning a living ethically without deceit, exploitation, or violence [sammāājīva]|, |right effort::energy and effort directed toward abandoning unwholesome mental states and qualities, and cultivating wholesome ones [sammāvāyāma]|, |right mindfulness::mindfulness that discerns the body, feelings, mind, and mental qualities clearly, grounded in diligent, non-forgetful attention to the present moment [sammāsati]|, and |right collectedness::perfect stability of mind, correct mental composure [sammāsamādhi]|. This, friend, is the path; this is the way of practice for the realization of awakening.”
“|Auspicious::fine, excellent [bhaddaka]| is the path, friend, auspicious is the way of practice for the realization of awakening. And it is enough, friend Sāriputta, for [arousing] |diligence::quality of wishing to do one’s work or duty well, with alertness, carefulness and care [appamāda]|.”
“‘Arahattaṁ, arahattan’ti, āvuso sāriputta, vuccati. Katamaṁ nu kho, āvuso, arahattan”ti?
“Yo kho, āvuso, rāgakkhayo dosakkhayo mohakkhayo—idaṁ vuccati arahattan”ti.
“Atthi panāvuso, maggo atthi paṭipadā etassa arahattassa sacchikiriyāyā”ti?
“Atthi kho, āvuso, maggo atthi paṭipadā etassa arahattassa sacchikiriyāyā”ti.
“Katamo panāvuso, maggo katamā paṭipadā etassa arahattassa sacchikiriyāyā”ti?
“Ayameva kho, āvuso, ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo etassa arahattassa sacchikiriyāya, seyyathidaṁ—sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi. Ayaṁ kho, āvuso, maggo, ayaṁ paṭipadā etassa arahattassa sacchikiriyāyā”ti.
“Bhaddako, āvuso, maggo bhaddikā paṭipadā etassa arahattassa sacchikiriyāya. Alañca panāvuso sāriputta, appamādāyā”ti.