The Noble Eightfold Path taught by the Buddha has eight factors.
The eight factors are right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Together they form the fourth of the Four Noble Truths, the path leading toward the cessation of suffering.
The path is not usually presented as a single ladder whose steps must be completed one at a time. Buddhist explanations commonly group its factors into three areas: ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom. Right speech, action, and livelihood concern conduct; effort, mindfulness, and concentration concern mental cultivation; view and intention concern wisdom.
The word “right” is also translated as “correct,” “wise,” or “appropriate,” depending on the tradition and translator. The eight factors should not be confused with the Four Noble Truths or with later lists of Buddhist virtues. Their defining feature is the eight-part structure attributed to the Buddha’s teaching.