Epigraph

Those who have not seen Islam, among the people of all the revealed books, and the idolaters, were not about to change their ways until they were sent clear evidence, the final messenger from God, reading out pages, blessed with purity, containing the everlasting scripture, covering all the good that was revealed in prior scriptures. (Al Quran 98:1-3)

Presented by Zia H Shah MD

Abstract

Buddhism and Islam each offer a comprehensive spiritual path to transcend suffering. The Buddha taught that “of paths, the Path of Eight Constituents is the noblest”, leading to the end of dukkha (suffering) tipitaka.net tipitaka.net. Likewise, Muslims pray for guidance on the Sirāt al-Mustaqīm – the “straight path” of submission to God. The Qur’an enjoins believers to uphold “justice and good conduct” and to shun immorality and oppression quran.com, summarizing a life of ethical discipline. Both traditions thus stress morality, restraint and mental focus. For example, Buddhism’s emphasis on calm, mindful awareness parallels Islam’s focus on God-consciousness (dhikr/taqwā). Ultimately both promise liberation – Buddha spoke of the bliss of Nibbāna, and Islam assures Paradise for the steadfast – only attainable through diligent practice and endurance along the respective paths.

Right View (Sammā-diṭṭhi) and Tawḥīd

In Buddhism Right View means seeing reality as it is – understanding dukkha (suffering), its cause, its cessation, and the way to its end accesstoinsight.org. This clear “vision” of existence’s impermanent, interdependent nature guides all practice. In Islam the closest parallel is the framework of faith: belief in one God and the ultimate purpose of life. Muslims affirm “Say, [O Prophet:] ‘He is Allah – One’” quran.com, acknowledging Divine oneness (tawḥīd). The Qur’an also invites reflection on God’s signs in creation: “in the creation of the heavens and the earth… are signs for people of reason” quran.com. Recognizing Allah’s unity and wisdom (and life after death) provides the correct “view” of the world. Thus where Buddhism says true understanding ends delusion, Islam teaches that guided insight (tafhīm) arises by accepting God’s revelation and recognizing His oneness quran.com quran.com.

Right Intention (Sammā-saṅkappa) and Niyyah

Buddha’s Right Intention (or resolve) focuses the mind on renunciation, harmlessness and goodwillaccesstoinsight.org. One must cultivate wholesome intentions (generosity, compassion) and dispel ill-will or desire. Similarly, Islam places the heart’s intentions (niyyah) at the core of actions. The Prophet taught “Actions are judged by intentions,” so sincerity and purity of motive are paramount. Muslims constantly renew intentions to please Allah in every deed. Both traditions thus link the outer path to inner purpose: wholesome volition leads to liberation or reward. For example, the Buddha said all that we are “is the result of what we have thought” – purity of mind yields happinesssacred-texts.comsacred-texts.com. Islam likewise emphasizes ikhlāṣ (pure intention), reminding believers that God knows each soul’s motive.

Right Speech (Sammā-vācā) and Truthfulness

Buddhism’s Right Speech enjoins abstaining from falsehood, divisive talk, harsh words and gossipaccesstoinsight.org. The Buddha even taught: “Better than a thousand senseless words is a single word of sense, if on hearing it one is calmed”tipitaka.net. In Islam, truthfulness and kind speech are likewise stressed. The Qur’an recounts God’s covenant: “Speak kindly to people”quran.com, and elsewhere Allah commands justice and good conduct (which presupposes honest speech)quran.com. The Prophet urged: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.” In both paths, speech is a moral act: Buddhists guard the tongue to avoid harm, and Muslims guard speech under the principle of qawli maʿrūf (saying what is right) and avoiding slander. Thus right speech in Buddhism finds its parallel in Islam’s emphasis on truth, kindness and refraining from slanderous or abusive languageaccesstoinsight.orgquran.com.

Right Action (Sammā-kammanta) and Righteous Deeds

Right Action in Buddhism requires abstaining from killing, stealing or sexual misconductaccesstoinsight.org. These moral precepts ensure harmlessness and virtue. Islam likewise mandates righteous behavior. The Qur’an enjoins “justice, the doing of good, and giving to relatives, and forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion”quran.com. In other words, believers must protect life and property, honor family ties, care for the needy and reject immorality and oppression. The hadith of the “hardship of Paradise” (narrated by an-Nasa’i) also underscores effort in righteous action: God showed Paradise surrounded by hardshipssunnah.com, symbolizing that good deeds require self-discipline. Both teachings make ethical conduct (non-harm, charity, justice) central: Buddha spoke of ending defilements through moral discipline, and Islam frames obedience as enjoining good and forbidding evil. In short, “good conduct” –whether called sila in Buddhism or ʿamal ḍarūrī in Islam – is fundamental to both pathsaccesstoinsight.orgquran.com.

Right Livelihood (Sammā-ājīva) and Lawful Sustenance

Buddhist Right Livelihood means earning a living without deceit or harm. The suttas say a noble disciple “having abandoned dishonest livelihood, keeps his life going with right livelihood”accesstoinsight.org (i.e. avoiding trades in weapons, living beings, flesh, alcohol or poison). Islam likewise requires halal (lawful) earnings. The Qur’an instructs: “Eat of the good, lawful things provided to you by Allah”quran.com, reminding Muslims not to consume what is forbidden (like usury, gambling or fraud). Ethical business is encouraged, and exploitative gain is banned. Both paths thus insist that one’s job or commerce be conducted honestly and compassionately. In Buddhism, livelihood should not cause suffering to others; in Islam, a Muslim “invests in the blessings of lawful sustenance,” knowing that Allah has ordained fair provision (Allah says He does not burden a soul beyond its capacityquran.com). The parallel is clear: both teachings tie spiritual progress to earning a living in integrity and generosity.

Right Effort (Sammā-vāyāma) and Perseverance

Right Effort in Buddhism is diligent striving to remove unwholesome qualities and to foster wholesome onesaccesstoinsight.org. The Buddha urged: “You yourselves should make the effort… Those who practice tranquility and insight meditation are freed from the bond of Māra”tipitaka.net. Islam likewise values perseverance and patience. The Qur’an reassures believers that “Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear”quran.com, encouraging steady struggle. Another verse promises “with every hardship comes ease” (al-Inshirāḥ 94:6)islamawakened.com. Moreover, the hadith that “Paradise is veiled by hardships” teaches that enduring trials (through worship and virtue) leads to success. Thus both traditions stress mujahadah (striving) – Buddhists call it viriya (energy), Muslims embrace ṣabr (steadfastness) and jihād al-nafs (struggle with the self). In sum, spiritual attainment is recognized as hard-won: the disciple “must make the effort”tipitaka.net, and the Muslim is tested until rewarded.

Right Mindfulness (Sammā-sati) and Dhikr/Taqwā

Buddhism’s Right Mindfulness means constant awareness of body, feelings, mind and dhammas (phenomena) without attachmentaccesstoinsight.org. The satipaṭṭhāna practice trains one to observe each moment, uprooting greed and aversion. Islam similarly cultivates God-consciousness. Believers are repeatedly told “Be mindful of Allah… for Allah is All-Aware of what you do”quran.com. The Qur’an and Sunnah encourage dhikr (remembrance) at all times; as one verse says, “In the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest” (13:28). Practically, Muslims awaken inner mindfulness through ṣalāh (prayer) and dhikr after prayer. Even the command to eat halal food comes with “be mindful of Allah in Whom you believe”quran.com. Both Right Mindfulness and Islamic taqwā require a vigilant, present-minded orientation – for Buddhists this means non-reactive awareness of the mind-body, and for Muslims it means maintaining awareness of God’s presence in each actaccesstoinsight.orgquran.com.

Right Concentration (Sammā-samādhi) and Khushūʿ (Prayerful Focus)

In Buddhism Right Concentration is the practice of jhāna – deep meditative absorption free from sensual desire and discursive thoughtaccesstoinsight.org. This unified state of mind, attained through meditation, brings profound equanimity. Islam has no formal “eightfold path,” but it enshrines concentrated devotion. The Qur’an describes true success as belonging to “those who humble themselves in their prayer”quran.com. Here khushūʿ denotes quietude and heartfelt focus in ṣalāh (the five daily prayers). Like Buddhist jhāna, khushūʿ is an internalized state (even while standing, bowing, prostrating) that extinguishes heedlessness. The Prophet ﷺ said that prayer should be undertaken as if one sees Allah. In both traditions, then, an ideal concentration is sought: Buddhists withdraw the mind inward, and Muslims withdraw from worldly distraction during worship. The Qur’an even frames prayer as an established (iqāmah) act, requiring full inward engagementlifewithallah.comquran.com. Both confirm that focused devotion – be it to insight or to God – is the height of concentration practice.

Epilogue: Discipline Leads to Liberation

In summary, the Buddhist Eightfold Path and Islam’s way of submission exhibit striking parallels in ethics and mental training. Both demand rigorous self-discipline and perseverance. The Buddha asserted that “following this Path, you will make an end of dukkha” tipitaka.net, and warned that only through one’s own effort can one be liberated tipitaka.net. Likewise, Muslims are reminded that Paradise is not attained by ease: it “was commanded to be surrounded by hardships” sunnah.com. Yet Allah promises relief: “Indeed, with every hardship comes ease” islamawakened.com. The shared theme is clear – moral purity, mindful awareness, and focused effort are essential on both journeys. By steadfastly following Buddha’s Eightfold Path or Islam’s straight path of faith and good works, the seeker is said to reach the goal: Nirvāṇa or eternal Paradise – the end of suffering. This comparative study underscores how each tradition, speaking its own language of practice and revelation, points to a common truth: spiritual success requires persevering commitment to an ethical, disciplined way of life tipitaka.net sunnah.com.

Sources: Buddhist suttas (Magga-vibhanga accesstoinsight.org accesstoinsight.org accesstoinsight.org, Dhammapadatipitaka.nettipitaka.netsacred-texts.comtipitaka.net) and the Qur’anquran.comquran.comquran.comquran.comquran.comquran.comquran.com, supplemented by classical commentary (e.g. an-Nawāwī on the hardship–Paradise hadithsunnah.com).

If you want to read in Microsoft Word instead: