Foundational Precepts in Buddhism: The Three Jewels and More

The beginning basic precepts of Buddhism are the three jewels. The first jewel is faith. It is the belief in the inner Buddha. This is necessary for anything else and like Christian faith takes the leap of faith. One must believe in the Buddha in order to seek to understand and practice Buddhism. The second jewel is the living Dharma. Dharma is the living and practicing of the precepts of Buddhism and following the path. The third jewel is Sangha. This is the other people and elements involved in Buddhism that support the person involved (pp.161-168).

The eight-fold path is keeping oneself inside of morality and following the path. Right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration are the eight areas of activity that one must control. It is like keeping a good attitude and controlling oneself against temptations to do things that are selfish and immoral. Doing each of these things is being in the path. The path includes the inner-self and one's inner thought life and focus in thought, concentration, understanding, effort and mindfulness. Speech, action, and livelihood are the outward areas of oneself that have to be in the right path of benevolence and morality. The inclusion of livelihood is questionable to me since choice is not an option for every person. However, following the path requires the entirety of one's being (pp.51-120).