EIGHTFOLD PATH. The noble eightfold path (Pali, ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo) is among the earliest formulations of the Buddhist path of practice. The Dhammacakkhappavattana Sutta (Setting the wheel of dhamma in motion), traditionally regarded as the Buddha's first discourse, introduces the eightfold path as a middle way between two extremes: indulgence in sensual pleasure and self-mortification. Sensual indulgence is condemned as "gross, domestic, common, ignoble, and not conducive to the goal." Self-mortification is condemned as "painful, ignoble, and not conducive to the goal." The eightfold path, however, is praised as productive of vision, productive of knowledge, and conducive to calm, direct knowing, self-awakening, and nirvāṇa. These statements are best evaluated in light of the story of the Buddha's quest for awakening, which provides the path with both narrative and theoretical context.

Having enjoyed lavish sensual pleasures in his youth, the young bodhisattva (Buddha-to-be) realized...