The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching

When the Buddha was eighty years old and about to pass away, a young man named Subhadda came to see him. Ananda, the Buddha’s attendant, thought it would be too exhausting for his master to see anyone, but the Buddha overheard Subhadda’s request and said, “Ananda, please invite him in.” Even as he was dying, the Buddha was willing to give an interview.

Subhadda asked, “World-Honored One, are the other religious teachers in Magadha and Kosala fully enlightened?” The Buddha knew he had only a short time to live and that answering such a question would be a waste of precious moments. When you have an opportunity to ask a teacher about Dharma, ask a question that can change your life. The Buddha replied,  “Subhadda”  it is not important whether they are fully enlightened. The question is whether you want to liberate yourself. If you do, practice the Noble Eightfold Path. Wherever the Noble Eightfold Path is practiced, joy, peace, and insight are there.” The Buddha offered the Eightfold Path in his first Dharma talk; he continued to teach the Eightfold Path for forty-five years, and in his last Dharma talk, spoken to Subhadda, he offered the Noble Eightfold Path – Right View, Right Thinking, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Diligence, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.