And then there is the path, called dharma . Buddha called it the middle way, which is understood as meaning the middle way between such competing philosophies as materialism and idealism, or hedonism and asceticism. The Eightfold Path 1. Right view is the true understanding of the four noble truths. Right aspiration is the true desire to free oneself from attachment, ignorance, and hatefulness.
Right speech involves abstaining from lying, gossiping, or hurtful talk.
Right action involves abstaining from hurtful behaviors, such as killing, stealing, and careless sex. Right livelihood means making your living in such a way as to avoid dishonesty and hurting others, including animals. These three are refered to as shila , or morality. Right mindfulness is the focusing of one's attention on one's body, feelings, thoughts, and consciousness in such a way as to overcome craving, hatred, and ignorance. Right concentration is meditating in such a way as to progressively realize a true understanding of imperfection, impermanence, and non-separateness.