Right Intention

Jeffrey

There are two so called wisdom aspects to the eightfold path: right intention and right view.

Being that they are wisdom I suppose that they have to do with *insight*. I can see how insight produces a view. But could anyone say something in their understanding about right intention? Remember that view/intention isn't ordinary view/intention but rather it is noble.

I think that it is interesting that right view is separate from right intention. Presumably there is some insight into the nature of reality. I am a little foggy about how this works.

Mods I felt this could be advanced but that the eightfold path is at least something to think about for every person even a beginner. On this particular question I am certainly a beginner.

driedleaf

@Jeffrey

Right intention is also called "Right Resolve"

The definition
"And what is right resolve? Being resolved on renunciation, on freedom from ill-will, on harmlessness: This is called right resolve."

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/sacca4/samma-sankappo/index.html

Jeffrey

Yes but does it arise from insight? Could you say something about that? Why isn't it included in right livelyhood as an ethics practice? Yet it is a wisdom practice which I find interesting.

driedleaf

I would say yes. You would need right view to have right resolve.

sukhita

... and vice versa for an 'experiential' understanding of right view, I would think.

taiyaki

right intention conditions right view and right view conditions right intention.

both are completely interdependent. along with all the aspects of the 8 fold path. without right intention, there is no right view. without right view, there is no right intention.

insight should simply make clear what is suffering and what is the cessation of suffering, along with the causes/conditions that alleviate suffering. because of this correct perception, the intention becomes very obvious. this is where right and wrong become black and white. either something causes suffering to self/other or it doesn't.

without right view, there is no right intention.

not sure if this is clear, but this is how i understand it.

Jeffrey

So if you know that a caramel apple is a rotten apple that would be right view. And right intention would fall naturally that you do not want to eat it.

taiyaki

right intention without right view would be to always to do no harm to self/other.
right intention with right view would make it more obvious not to do harm to self/other.
maybe even to do good and helpful things to self/other regardless of circumstance/condition.

these are methods and guidelines that one uses until ones conditioning is fully penetrated and liberation if obvious. then spontaneous action occurs because one does not hold onto ideas, but this can only occur after stream entry. until then a being is limited within the scope of the vision they have for reality.