Four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Path

One of the earliest texts of Buddhism, Digha Nikaya, records some of the deeds and teachings of Gautama the Buddha. In it the Buddha also teaches the four Noble Truths, namely:

1. Suffering (Dukkha)
2. The origin of suffering (Dukkha Samudaya)
3. Cessation of suffering (Dukkha Nirodha)
4. The Path leading to the cessation of suffering ( Dukkha Nirodha gamini patipadi), which is the Noble Eight Fold Path ( ariya atthangika magga), and consists of:

a. Right View

b. Right Thought

c. Right Speech

d. Right Action

e. Right Livelihood

f. Right Effort

g. Right Mindfulness

h. Right Concentration

The eight steps can be categorised under three heading: Morality ( c-e), Concentration (f-h) and Wisdom ( a-b). The reason for categorising in this sequence is because morality is cultivated in the initial phase in order to prepare oneself for Concentration which is then supposed to lead one onto higher wisdom eventually. 

This aspect of morality is quite different from that of Christianity. In Christianity moral purity is not really to earn salvation/liberation. The Bible teaches that one cannot really earn salvation/liberation by observing moral norms because it is really impossible to attain moral perfection. And only by being morally perfect one can be in union with God since God is pure. Therefore, in Christianity moral 'perfection' in God's sight is something that God gifts to a person as the person comes to put his/her faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and God. And as a result of this new status, the person observes moral norms as his/her response to maintain the relationship with God.