Jun 29, 2013 08:30
This (SN 22.57) is a spur to energetic and unceasing devotion to meditation.
The Buddha's words, "...and just this noble eightfold path is the path of practice leading to the cessation of form, i.e., right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration." reminds me very much of the active formulation of the 4 noble truths from the Patisambhidamagga.
That is
Suffering to be understood
The Cause to be abandoned
Cessation to be realized
The Path to be cultivated
The 4 truths are not mere statements of doctrine to be affirmed and then dismissed, but are a summation of the way to the cessation of suffering.
May all beings be happy and free from suffering.