Concept and meaning of the middle path. The middle path is the path that Buddha took to lead to peaceful nirvana. So what is this path of practice and its meanings in today's life? Let's explore now! The middle path Meaning of the middle path in Buddhism 1.1. What is the middle path? The Middle Path also has other names: Pa.Majjhima patipada, Sa. Madhyamāpratipad, England. Middle Way, Vietnamese Sino. Middle path 中道. The Middle Path generally refers to the teaching methods of Buddha Shakyamuni. His teachings avoid extremes in practice, do not indulge in sensual pleasures and live an absolutely ascetic life. This path is divided into 8 branches, which are: Right view: hearing, seeing, knowing, knowing fairly, uprightly, with objectivity Right thought: thinking, examining the truth, avoiding, thinking correctly with right speech: words that are just, truthful, reasonable and upright Right action: righteous deeds, actions, in accordance with reason, beneficial to both people and animals, in accordance with the truth of Right Livelihood : the error of living honestly with a clean, kind career. Right effort: being diligent, diligent, going straight to the pre-determined goal, not backing down in the face of difficulties. Mindfulness: remembering the truth, the moral principles Truly valuing sublime Right Concentration: concentrating thoughts, in accordance with the truth, beneficial for life and people 1.2. The value of the middle path In Hinayana teachings, the Noble Eightfold Path is considered the Middle Way. When practicing this Dharma, it helps to stay away from the life of sensual pleasures and the ascetic life, escaping from the ocean of suffering. To be more precise, this path does not help eliminate asceticism and sensual pleasures, but helps us know how to control and overcome basic human instincts. The middle path is also used to refer to Nagarjuna's Madhyamaka teachings. The middle way here is the attitude of abandoning two extreme views about the world being destroyed or eternal, the world not existing or the world being. In the Madhyamaka school, this path is clearly presented with the eight-nonsense views of Nagarjuna as follows; No birth, no death, no interruption, no permanence, no diversity, no oneness, no coming, no going. 2. Buddha's sermons on the middle path Buddha Shakyamuni gave sermons on the middle path based on his own experience. After experiencing a life of enjoyment in the royal palace, undergoing 6 years of ascetic practice, he was then enlightened and liberated under the Bodhi tree. During his sermon, the Buddha said: “Hey Bhikkhus! Practicing according to the path that Tathagata has enlightened is the practice of developing knowledge and vision, leading to sublime wisdom, peace and enlightenment of the Noble Eightfold Path. He taught his enlightenment to his first five disciples, proving that it was a method given for practice, not a metaphysical belief. Going on this path is to eliminate two extreme views:What is the middle path? The middle path is the method that wants us to overcome many extremes 2.1. First, the extreme indulgence in sensual pleasures: An intention to eliminate "dissatisfaction" by satisfying desires. This brings enjoyment and satisfaction that is only temporary and does not go into the depth of satisfaction. The Buddha realized that sensual pleasures were experiences that were closely attached to the minds of sentient beings. He deeply realized that it was a hot attachment that became the sensual pleasures of ordinary sentient beings. He understood that sensual pleasures are inferior to the happiness that comes from giving up those sensual pleasures. Therefore, He taught many times that the path to the ultimate goal of Nirvana requires giving up sensual pleasures, lowly, useless pleasures that do not lead to the ultimate goal. 2.2. Second, the extreme practice of self-mortification aims to try to achieve liberation in ways that cause harm and pain to one's body. This approach will lead to self-destruction, making the body sick and barren. This is the mistake of enslaving the body so that a mind is rooted in greed, anger, and ignorance. Buddha said that extreme pain on the body is useless, it does not lead to the ultimate goal of Nirvana: "A clear mind in a healthy body". The middle path, also known as the Noble Eightfold Path, stands in the middle, far away from the two extremes mentioned above. This path is not a combination of two extremes, but means overcoming and rising above those two factors, avoiding serious mistakes, and reaching the path of enlightenment more easily. 3. Applying the middle path in reality Through this teaching, we learn that the purpose of life is not to harm ourselves or others. You need to make an effort to stay away from the two extremes of being dominated by sensual pleasures and suffering yourself to achieve trivial goals. You need to choose a healthy lifestyle that is full of contentment, leading to a pure mind. Practicing the Noble Eightfold Path will help us build a happy family and a civilized and peaceful society. Forming within each of us a beautiful lifestyle, bringing all the best things to everyone, avoiding suffering, hatred and ecological pollution. The middle path in Buddhism The middle path is very useful in practice. Each of his deeds or actions is a philosophy of life, the life of the Buddha helps us look back at ourselves and follow. Through the above teachings, we can apply them to real life in the following aspects: Use words and language correctly: do not lie, do not lie, do not make up things or say harsh words or curses. , insult, do not gossip, cause division or hatred. Words or words must bring truth, respect and benefit to yourself and others. Buddha once said: “A pleasant word is as sweet as honey, a truthful word is like a flower, a wrong word is not good,like discarded trash.” Right action: is how we show respect for life, the relationships between ourselves and everyone around us. Do not kill, do not kill humans or other animals. Do not steal, take without permission, defraud, or misappropriate property. There are no illicit relationships between men and women, adultery or harming the feelings of others. Choosing the right career and job: people need to work to live and earn a living, but must also focus on the life, peace and benefit of other people and creatures. We need to choose the right and honest career. Absolutely do not sell drugs, toxic substances, or any other immoral work.END=NAM MO SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).GOLDEN ZEN BUDDHIST MONASTERY= VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=THICH CHAN TANH.AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.22/6/2024.VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=THICH CHAN TANH.