What is the middle way taught by the Buddha?

The Middle Way is a foundational principle in Buddhism that facilitates enlightenment by avoiding the extremes of sensual indulgence and self-mortification (asceticism).123

After experiencing both a life of luxury as a prince and a period of extreme asceticism that nearly led to his death, the Buddha concluded that neither extreme was conducive to spiritual liberation. He subsequently taught the Eightfold Path as the practical application of this middle path.243

The Middle Way also extends to philosophical views, reconciling the extremes of eternalism—the belief in a permanent self—and nihilism—the belief that the self is destroyed at death—by questioning the existence of such a self altogether. The Eightfold Path, which serves as the guide for this journey, is categorized into three areas of training:2

• Wisdom: Right view and right intention.43
• Ethics: Right speech, right action, and right livelihood.43
• Concentration: Right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.43