Question

In which way can the letting go of ignorance be reached?

Answer

There's a path leading to the ending of Dukkha. This is called The Noble Eightfold Path. Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. My understanding is that if we walk the Noble Eightfold Path, then we are directed towards the ending of ignorance and the ending of all Dukkha. The specific techniques within the Noble Eightfold Path we'll be talking more about in the retreat, so I won't talk about them all right now. But many of them help build the power of Right View, because it is wisdom that helps to end ignorance.

We build Right View by investigating into the mind and body and the laws of nature, by using the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Right Mindfulness) together with the Four Great Efforts (Right Effort) so we can understand the Law of Cause and Effect. We develop the Unselfish Emotions to be able to build the power of Right Intention or Thought which is the second factor of the Noble Eightfold Path. With this Right View that understands our actions, speech and thoughts have results, together with the Compassionate intention to not wish to cause harm to ourselves and others (Right Intention) and linked to Right Mindfulness and Effort we then are more aware of our speech, our actions and our livelihood, so that they are based in Right View and Right Thought.

In order to let go of suffering we have to understand what the Noble Eightfold Path is and whether we're walking it. Some people have a tendency to believe that if they just concentrate the mind they will end suffering and ignorance, but that is not the Noble Eightfold Path. And even the 7th and 8th factor by themselves will not lead to the ending of ignorance, according to my understanding. That's why the Buddha gave us the Noble Eightfold Path.

Our apologies if there are any errors in the above text. If anything seems to be wrong or confusing in any way, please feel free to contact the teachers for further clarification.