And how, Ānanda, does a Monk who has a wholesome friend, a wholesome companion, a wholesome comrade, develop and cultivate The Noble Eight Fold Path?

Here, Ānanda, a Monk develops Right View, which is based upon seclusion, freedom from strong feelings, and elimination, maturing in release. He develops Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, which is based upon seclusion, freedom from strong feelings, and elimination, maturing in release. It is in this way,

Ānanda, that a Monk who has a wholesome friend, a wholesome companion, a wholesome comrade, develops and cultivates The Noble Eight Fold Path.

By the following method too, Ānanda, it may be understood how the entire holy life is wholesome friendship, wholesome companionship, wholesome comradeship: by relying upon me as a wholesome friend,

Ānanda, beings subject to birth are freed from birth; beings subject to aging are freed from aging: beings subject to illness are freed from illness: beings subject to death are freed from death; beings subject to sorrow, grief, pain, displeasure, and despair are freed from sorrow, grief, pain, displeasure, and despair. By this method,

Ānanda, it may be understood how the entire holy life is wholesome friendship, wholesome companionship, wholesome comradeship.

(Reference: SN 45.2)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares the importance of developing wholesome relationships as a positive influence for one to progress on The Path to Enlightenment.

He further discusses how a Practitioner who develops wholesome relationships also develops The Eight Fold Path, “maturing in release”.