The middle way

[Microdose]

Often times people associate Buddhist path as the middle way beyond extremes

What are the members insights into what is the middle way

[santa100]

Often times people associate Buddhist path as the middle way beyond extremes

What are the members insights into what is the middle way

See definition for majjhimā-patipadā

[Microdose]

Often times people associate Buddhist path as the middle way beyond extremes

What are the members insights into what is the middle way

See definition for majjhimā-patipadā

Thank you

Do you have any insights, your experience

[Dan74]

My experience and also reflections following the teachings and comments by my kalyana mittas are that there are unhelpful extremes and the Middle Way is the way of Right Action that falls into neither one of them. Attachment and Aversion are extremes. Equanimity is the Middle Way. Not indifference, mind you. Indifference is called the near enemy of Equanimity.

Sexuality is also a topic that can be cast in these terms. Attachment to lust is an obstacle on the path, so sometimes lay Buddhists worry about it and develop aversion to sexuality, guilt, obsession, etc. As lay people we can cultivate mindfulness around sexuality and some restraint. This is good conduct for a householder but not yet the Middle Way. The Middle Way is neither giving up sex out of aversion, nor giving in to sex out of attachment. It is renunciation when one truly sees the shortcomings of sensual pleasure and is ready to devote oneself to the Dhamma wholeheartedly.

[Josaphat]

The middle way has an ethical and an ontological application. Ethically Buddhists should strive for moderation in their pursuits. This means avoiding both hedonism and extreme asceticism. Ontologically it refers to the Buddhist belief in neither an eternal self or a self that is annihilated at death. By mistaking the five aggregates as one or the other we will come to be overly attached or averse to our own existence, resulting in rebirth in higher or lower realms. The more one sees the self as eternal, the more one will crave sensory pleasures. The opposite is also true. The middle way avoids both of these traps.

[Bundokji]

The middle path was taught at the Buddha's first sermon, hence presents soteriology based on the master's journey towards salvation.

"There are these two extremes that are not to be indulged in by one who has gone forth. Which two? That which is devoted to sensual pleasure with reference to sensual objects: base, vulgar, common, ignoble, unprofitable; and that which is devoted to self-affliction: painful, ignoble, unprofitable. Avoiding both of these extremes, the middle way realized by the Tathagata — producing vision, producing knowledge — leads to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding.

The middle reflect stages of development:

1- a prince who indulged in sensuality, not being aware of the dangers outside the bubble of carefully constructed appearances of beauty, luxury and comfort

2- Encountering the four devas of old age, sickness, death and the ascetic. This symbolizes losing his innocence or naivety, no longer able to hide in the palace.

3- Becoming an ascetic and dwelling in the forest, encountering all sorts of danger and putting his life at stake.

4- Discovering the middle way and teaching it to people.

In a way, we are all in the middle between birth and death. The Noble Eight Fold Path seems to be the best way of living under such circumstances.

[Gwi II]

Often times people associate Buddhist path as the middle way beyond extremes

What are the members insights into what is the middle way

Middle way = paṭiccasamuppāda

The middle way = the way to the heart (core) of Buddhism

The Core of Buddhism = The Four Noble Truths

[Gwi II]

Often times people associate Buddhist path as the middle way beyond extremes

What are the members insights into what is the middle way

Middle way = paṭiccasamuppāda

The middle way = the way to the heart (core) of Buddhism

The Core of Buddhism = The Four Noble Truths

Update!
Middle way = Noble Eightfold Path
(Ariyo Aṭṭhaṅgiko Maggo)

"And what is the middle way realized by the Tathagata that — producing vision, producing knowledge — leads to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding? Precisely this Noble Eightfold Path: right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. This is the middle way realized by the Tathagata that — producing vision, producing knowledge — leads to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding." [Dhammacakkappavattanasuttaṃ].



“There friends, greed is an evil, anger is an evil. To dispel greed and anger, there is the middle path which conduces to wisdom, knowledge enlightenment and extinction. It is this same noble eightfold path such as right view, right thoughts, right speech, right actions, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Friends, this is the middle path which conduces to wisdom, knowledge, enlightenment and extinction. There friends, anger is an evil, ill will is an evil, hypocrisy is an evil, mercilessness is an evil, envy is an evil, selfishness is an evil, deceit is an evil, craftiness is an evil, obstinacy is an evil, haughty talk is an evil, measuring is an evil, conceit is an evil, intoxication is an evil, negligence is an evil, To dispel intoxication and negligence, there is the middle path which conduces to wisdom, knowledge, enlightenment, and extinction. It is this same noble eightfold path such as right view, right thoughts, right speech, right actions, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.” [Dhammadāyādasuttaṃ (MN 03)].


Paṭiccasamuppāda = method (ñāya)
* We must memorize the formula (simple formula in SN II;
explanation by Venerable Sāriputto mahāthero in MN 09)


The Core of Buddhism = The Four Noble Truths
(Cattāri Ariyasaccāni)






Screenshot: Paṭiccasamuppāda is called
"method (ñāya)". [Aṭṭhakathā&Ṭīkā].

[jelemba]

It's like balancing on a rope. Or driving a car. You fine tune your steering wheel and throttle pedal to not crash or bump into people or another car. Or not make the car behind you to crash into you. It's tricky but it can be done with practice. Thus you need to be very skillful.