Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

3.1.3 Avoiding Two Extremes and Pursuing the Middle Path¹

At one time the Bhagavā was dwelling in the deer park, in Isipatane near Bārāṇasi. At that time the Bhagavā addressed the group of five Bhikkhus.

“These two aims, Bhikkhus, should not be pursued by someone who has left the householder’s life. Which are the two?

There is the practice of rolling in sensual pleasures, which is low, common, belonging to an ordinary man, unworthy and not connected to the goal, and the practice of self-mortification, which is painful, unworthy and not connected to the goal.

These two aims, Bhikkhus, have been left aside by the Tathāgata who practices the Middle Path that leads to Buddhahood, leads to insight, knowledge, tranquillity, wisdom, full enlightenment and Nibbāna.

What, Bhikkhus, is this Middle Path practised by the Tathāgata that leads to Buddhahood, to insight, knowledge, tranquillity, perfect wisdom, full enlightenment and Nibbāna? It is the Eightfold Noble Path which is right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right awareness and right concentration. This, Bhikkhus, is the Middle Path practiced by the Tathāgata that leads to Buddhahood, leads to insight, knowledge, tranquillity, perfect wisdom, full enlightenment and Nibbāna.”