Akashamitra introduces the Eight Ways of the Noble Ones with a talk on vision. Why does it start the path? Have we already had a path of vision experiences?
Excerpted from the talk Perfect Vision - How Far Can You Go? given at North London Buddhist Centre, 2020.

Subscribe to the podcast on freebuddhistaudio.com/podcasts

Perfect Vision - How Far Can You Go?

Follow

Dharmabytes Podcast #1190 "There’s Seeing, And Then There’s Really Seeing"

Eightfold Path

We are coming to the close of Venerable Juewei's first month in the Wisdom series. To round out the month, we are delighted to have Venerable guide us in a meditation together which will be at least a 30 minute session. The session will ask us to contemplate:

 "Is the Noble Eightfold Path a map or a mirror?"

Most people approach the Eightfold Path as a list of “right” things to strive for. But in this meditation session, we flip that. We slow down. We inhabit the path as subtle reflections of how we are already moving, choosing, relating. 

Due to some technical issues, Zoom will require a one-off re-registration for attendees after 18th July.  You can do so here and will receive a new link in your email to click to join the meeting. (If you have registered after 18th July, you can use the link you have received already rather than re-registering). 

Is the Noble Eightfold Path a map or a mirror?

“The Sky of Merit” is a grounded folk-blues meditation on wisdom, merit, and the Eightfold Path. Inspired by Chapter 17 of the Lotus Sutra, this song strips away superstition to reveal the true heart of practice: seeing clearly and walking rightly in a world that’s both muddy and luminous.

With fingerpicked guitar, upright bass, and a dust-road harmonica, the song feels like a conversation with the Dharma at dusk—honest, soulful, and unvarnished. It reminds us that merit isn’t something earned by ritual, but awakened through right view, right thought, right word, and right action.

Like the lotus rising through mud, it’s a hymn for those who stumble but keep walking, who find their clarity not in temples or incense, but in the way they live and love each day.
 This is blues for seekers—a truth song for anyone learning to see through the haze and find freedom right where they stand.

Lyrics: 
[Verse 1]
I laid down my offerings, a flower and a flame,
Thought I’d buy a piece of heaven, but it don’t work that way.
The Sutra said, “Child, don’t count your prayers in gold—
Merit’s in the seeing, in a mind grown whole.”

[Chorus]
It ain’t in the incense, it ain’t in the song,
It’s in the seeing clear what’s right and what’s wrong.
Right view, right word, right deed, and right way—
That’s how you walk the night into the bright of day.

[Verse 2]
I copied down the verses, ink dark as the sea,
Every word a mirror holdin’ truth back to me.
The letters start to shimmer, the self fades away—
One breath, one thought, one step in the Way.

[Chorus]
It ain’t in the temple, it ain’t in the name,
It’s the mind that’s steady in the heart of the flame.
Right thought, right work, right rest, right play—
That’s how you live the Dharma every day.

[Bridge]
Now some chase heaven, and some chase fame,
But I found wisdom in the dirt and the rain.
The lotus blooms muddy, but the light shines through—
The merit’s not above you, it’s the truth in you.

[Final Chorus]
It ain’t in the riches, it ain’t in the praise,
It’s the still small truth that clears the haze.
Right view, right love, right peace, right way—
That’s how you find the sky of merit today

The Sky of Merit

“Faith Calls, Insight Answers” is a Delta Dharma Blues song about the inner dialogue between faith and understanding — a call-and-response between the heart that believes and the mind that sees.

Carried by slide guitar, handclaps, and a voice worn smooth by the road, this track brings the Eightfold Path down to earth. It’s not about heaven or hell — it’s about the moment you stop talking long enough to hear what silence tells.

Each verse walks barefoot through wisdom’s mud, where kindness and courage light the way. Faith calls out, insight answers, and together they build a road of merit straight through the mystery of life.

For anyone on a spiritual path — seekers, wanderers, or weary truth-tellers — this is porchlight blues for awakening souls.

Lyrics:

[Intro – Slide guitar riff, foot stomp rhythm]
(Spoken)
Ain’t about heaven, ain’t about hell—
It’s about learnin’ to see what the silence tells.

⸻

[Verse 1]
Faith calls— you hear it in the bones,
Insight answers— when the wind starts moanin’ low.
You don’t need no scripture fancy,
Just a mind that wants to know.

[Chorus – Call and Response]
[Call]  Merit builds the road you’re walkin’.
[Response]  Step by step, clear eyes see.
[Call]  Every act of kindness lightin’
(Response)  A lantern on that mystery.

⸻

[Verse 2]
Old preacher said, “Boy, stop talkin’.
Start listenin’ to what’s true.”
Said, “Faith and reason ain’t rivals, son—
They just dance like me and you.”

[Chorus – Call and Response]
[Call]  Merit builds the road you’re walkin’.
[Response]  Step by step, clear eyes see.
[Call]  Even one line of truth believed in—
[Response]  Can set your spirit free.

⸻

[Bridge – Spoken over slow slide riff]
Don’t talk about reachin’ heaven,
That road don’t run that far.
It’s right here, right now—
Every heart a shinin’ star.

⸻

[Verse 3]
I been down that Eightfold highway,
Dust on my boots, peace in my chest.
Right view ridin’ shotgun,
Right speech layin’ the rest.
Each mile a lesson in seein’,
Each breath a gate to the sky,
Faith calls and Insight answers—
That’s how the blind learn to fly.

⸻

[Final Chorus – Full band enters, handclaps and harmony]
(Call)  Merit builds the road you’re walkin’.
(Response)  Step by step, clear eyes see.
(Call)  Faith calls and Insight answers—
(Response)  That’s the truth inside of me.
(Call)  You don’t need gold or temple treasure—
(Response)  Just a heart that’s brave and kind.
(Together)  When you walk with right understanding,
Ain’t no darkness left behind.

Faith Calls, Insight Answers

Please like and share. 
Welcome to the musical world of The William Altig Choir, where ancient wisdom meets contemporary sound.

Inspired by the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and infused with deep spiritual themes, my music blends the rich traditions of blues and folk with modern elements, creating a unique fusion that resonates with both the heart and soul.

I've been captivated by the Lotus Sutra's messages of compassion, wisdom, and transformation since my youth. It's a journey of self-discovery that has found its voice in my music. Each song is a reflection of my own spiritual awakening and a celebration of universal truths.

My style is characterized by emotive storytelling, powerful lyrics, and a commitment to exploring the depths of human experience. Featuring contemplative blues, acoustic slide guitar, saxophone melodies, and the harmonies of a gospel choir, my music reflects a quest for enlightenment and a better understanding of the self.

Join me on this musical journey. Together, we can explore the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, finding solace, hope, and a deeper connection to the world around us.

#SpiritualMusic  #LotusSutraMusic  #ContemplativeBlues  #BuddhistGospel #AcousticSlideGuitar  #GospelChoir  #Self-Discovery  #SpiritualAwakening  #Hope  #The_William_Altig_Choir

Thanks for supporting us through the lockdown! 🙏🏻

Free Buddhist Audio is the home online for the audio and text archives of the Triratna Buddhist Community. We have over 5,000 free recordings on all aspects of Buddhism and meditation, including community archives from all around the world in various languages. We also produce two monthly podcasts, which you can get via iTunes. Whether you're looking for intro guides to Buddhism and meditation or seeking deeper engagement with the Buddha's teaching, we've got something for you! 

If you like what you hear on Soundcloud, head over to freebuddhistaudio.com and dive into a sea of free content...

The Humanistic Buddhism Centre (HBC) is committed to the research and development of Humanistic Buddhism as well as community engagement.  The Centre identifies and undertakes innovative projects that contribute to the scholarly and teaching communities.  Besides facilitating inter-disciplinary research and course-ware development that contributes to the Nan Tien Institute’s teaching programs, the Centre also participates in outreach programmes such as podcasts, workshops, and exhibitions.  This podcast collection houses resources on Humanistic Buddhism that will be useful to students, educators and informed Buddhists.

New tracks tagged #Eightfold Path