15. Right Effort

RIGHT EFFORT

Venerable Sumangalo

None of the points of the Noble Path has any real meaning if it is not joined to effort. Even the finest motor-car is useless if there is no petrol in the tank. The petrol is the energy that makes the car run. Another name for Right Effort is Right Energy. If this sixth point is missing, then the other points of the path have no life in them. When Right Effort is missing in anyone’s life, we use an unpleasant word to describe that condition. The word is Laziness. If we do not overcome laziness, we cannot make any real progress on the road to happiness.

Each of us must make real effort to lead a good, moral helpful life. Usually we say there are four main efforts which we must make if we wish our lives to be according to the Buddha’s teaching. These four big efforts are:

1. The effort to avoid evil not yet existing in our lives.
2. The effort to overcome evil which already exists in our thoughts and acts.
3. The effort to preserve the good already developed in our thinking and acting.
4. The effort to develop good not yet existing in our minds, hearts and actions.

RIGHT EFFORT

Constant let thine effort be

From delusion’s slavery,

By the Truth, thy mind to free,

Wisdom to attain.

Break the bonds of sense-desire

Holding thee in error’s mire,

And with all thine heart aspire

Purity to know.

Strive the ego to deny,

Let all selfish cravings die,

To all beings low and high

Love and kindness show.

Never let thine effort cease

Till in ultimate release

And in Buddha’s perfect peace

Thou hast reached thy goal.

                             -A. R. Zorn.

QUESTIONS

1. What meaning does Right Effort have for you?
2. How many sub-divisions are there to Right Effort? What are they?
3. What must we use in order that we may put our good ideas and intentions in practice?
4. When is the best time for us to put forth Right Effort? Yesterday or tomorrow or today?
5. What is the main cause of wrong efforts?
6. A motor car cannot run without petrol. We cannot have happy, successful lives if we do not use…?
7. If a boy wishes to learn to swim, can he learn by sitting on the beach and looking at the water? What must he do?
8. Is Right Understanding of much value if it is not coupled with Right Effort?
9. What do we call people who do not like to make effort?
10. How far can a bird fly with one wing? How much value do the other seven points of the Noble Path have if Right Effort is missing? Is it like trying to fly with one wing?