Once we have received refuge and the opportunity to board the boat to the far shore is truly in the palm of our hand, we will experience many obstacles as our negative karma is potentiated by the opportunity at hand. The primary common method of overcoming these obstacles is through rousing bodhichitta and engaging in the contemplation of the four thoughts that turn the mind toward the dharma.
The Path of Buddha Dharma is the Eightfold Path of the Noble Ones:
1. perfecting one's noble view
2. perfecting one's noble intention (or thought)
3. perfecting one's noble speech
4. perfecting one's noble action (or conduct)
5. perfecting one's noble livelihood
6. perfecting one's noble effort
7. perfecting one's noble mindfulness
8. perfecting one's noble concentration
The Sutra of the Ten Bhumis says:
"One trains in correct view, remaining in isolation, remaining free from attachment, remaining in cessation and meditating on complete transformation through abandonment. It is the same for correct intention, correct speech, correct action, correct livelihood, correct effort, correct mindfulness and correct concentration."
