In the Pāli Canon of Theravada Buddhism, the term "Middle Way '' was used in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, which the Buddhist tradition regards to be the first teaching that the Buddha delivered after his awakening. In this sutta, the Buddha describes the Noble Eightfold Path as the middle way of moderation, between the extremes of sensual indulgence and self - mortification:
eightfold path of buddhism is known as the middle path because
the middle way of moderation, between the extremes of sensual indulgence and self - mortification