MIDDLE WAY

The Middle Way (Majjhimā Paṭipadā) is an alternative name the Buddha gave to his Noble Eightfold Path (S. V, 42). He gave it this name because the Buddhist spiritual life should be lived avoiding the extremes of self-mortification and self-indulgence, indeed, all extremes. This emphasis on balance and moderation has meant that Buddhism has produced very few fanatics or extremist groups during its long history.