Origins of using "skilled" as a Buddhist descriptor

nenkohai

I have noticed some modern books and many here using the word "skilled" or "skillful" or "unskilled," etc.

Where or how did that word enter into usage for Buddhists? I am fascinated at how well it works to describe actions and thoughts.

Thank you!

John_Spencer

I also find the Buddhist concept of skillfulness very useful.

Christians, by contrast, tend to think in terms of right or wrong though, interestingly, the Greek word translated as 'sin' in the Bible is 'Harmatia' which means 'to miss the mark', like an unskillful archer.

Jason

nenkohai said:

I have noticed some modern books and many here using the word "skilled" or "skillful" or "unskilled," etc.

Where or how did that word enter into usage for Buddhists? I am fascinated at how well it works to describe actions and thoughts.

Thank you!

It comes from early Buddhist teachings, specifically the Buddha's distinction between skillful (kusala) and unskillful (akusala) actions (e.g., see AN 2.19 and AN 6.55).

For more info about skillfulness from the Buddhist point of view, I recommend checking out this section from Wings to Awakening.

nenkohai

thanks, guys! Jason, will check that out!