Wisdom in the Dharma
Jeroen
Luminous beings are we, not this crude matterNetherlands Veteran
I have recently been wondering about the function of wisdom in the dharma. I read a primer on it on the Dutch-language Boeddhaforum website which contained many sutra references, and while some of it was rather circular such as “wisdom helps develop the path, the essence of wisdom is right view, therefore wisdom accords with the path” there were other references which pointed to wisdom as a separate quality which helped develop the dharma.
The primer was in Dutch but I’ve gotten together a Google Translate powered English version for you, here is the link:
Wisdom in the Dharma Primer in English
Perhaps some people will find it an interesting read, although it is quite long.
Wisdom is better than any wealth.
Because through wisdom you obtain the ultimate goal.
Because people commit bad deeds through ignorance
While they live on life fail to reach the goal. (MN82)
Comments
Here I thought the function of wisdom in the Dharma simply describes what leads anyone towards suffering's cessation.
That is another case of a self-referential description, it doesn’t describe what wisdom is or how to develop it. There are a lot of instances where it is referred to in the sutra’s, and some clarify this a little.
Wisdom is a word. To a Buddhist it's described as the path and the means from moving from selfishness to selflessness, from harmfulness to harmlessness or the 4NT/ 8 FP/DO/ converting greed, hate & delusion into compassion, love and yes...wisdom.
To protest about a lack of a description for what wisdom is or how to develop it is like a fish protesting that he has no proof that water exists. The entire Buddhist Cannon is the embodiment of what you claim you can not see.
You could certainly apply a larger definition of wisdom in that way. A narrower definition though is tricky to pin down, and when you investigate the sutras for what they have to say about it you end up with, as the primer above shows, a somewhat fragmentary image, but of an important concept that does have influence.
Perhaps it’s impossible to really get it clear.
Asking an illusionary conglomeration of karmic vibrations to use one of its most self compromised sense gates to come up with a narrow definition of its own existence (or what I call wisdom), is a pretty tall order.
The real answer to wisdoms definition, which is obscured only by a mind more interested in it's own empire building than in wisdom's true source, is unlikely to ever be understood unless a spiritual practice is able to demote said mind off it's own throne and have it back collegially sharing life's stage with all the other sense gates.
For me, both narrow and wide definitions of wisdom arise simply from the equation of equanimity.
This is modern psychology's take on wisdom, what it is, how it is gained. I haven't seen any in depth comparison with Buddhism's understanding of wisdom, but to my mind it looks to match up well enough.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/wisdom
I read it, there are a few different peoples views cited in that article, but no consensus emerges.
The Pali term panna is often defined as reason, wisdom, insight, knowledge, recognition, and discernment. It's a type of knowledge that comes from the combination of experience and reflection. In Buddhism, wisdom begins by asking the following questions:
According to MN 43, "The purpose of discernment is direct knowledge, its purpose is full comprehension, its purpose is abandoning."
And it culminates with insight into and direct knowledge of the four noble truths, the knowledge of release, and the "cessation of this entire mass of stress and suffering" (AN 10.92).
I see wisdom as stages. The first is seeing the benefit of trying to be as harmless as possible. The second is exploring the mind and its relation to experience, peeling apart our experience of the world like a banana tree. And finally, the stage of "aha, it's like this."
I think it's a pretty good primer on wisdom utilizing many of the references in the Pali Canon.
The Sanskrit term is prajna. It carries meanings far beyond the English term, it’s not just an ability to problem solve resulting from life experience, or to give meaning to ones actions. It refers to an innate faculty which when realised points to right action. This is Direct Knowledge, knowledge which does not depend on concepts or data.
In the Mahayana it is invariably paired with karuna..compassion. Wisdom and compassion are often described as the two wings of a bird, both are needed for the bird of Dharma to fly...Forgive the flowery metaphor...🙂
I think this is a good point. Ajahn Chah taught that wisdom is like a knife, and that right knowledge or understanding must have a solid foundation of goodness (virtue) and mental steadiness (concentration), otherwise it can be used to cut the wrong things, like other people, instead of the right things, like attachments.
As some of you know I am extremely virtuous [and also nearly as humble as the little trump]. Even my farts are virtuous ... I offer them as perfume to the hell dwellers ... It is a tantra thing ...
Really like the points being made. Worth studying for clues ...
Be Good!
Bodhi Mother Beings to krill
OM MANY PER FU ME HUMMM ...
https://buddhismnow.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/itslikethis-ajahn-chah.pdf
A wide range of meanings indeed, and even a wider range of behaviours:
(T1484.997b12 盧舍那佛說菩薩心地戒品 Vairocana Speaks the Sermon of the Bodhisattva Mind-Ground [abridged])
When was the last time "luminous wisdom" shone on you? It's a wonderful image, regardless if it means a visual miracle or an illuminating insight communicated wordlessly.
At 2:50 we have some very reliable documentary footage of Mahāvīra shining a bright wisdom down upon himself.
Not counterfeit at all, I'm sure...
Always other dharmic religions to explore if Buddhism loses its soarkle ...
https://www.livehistoryindia.com/photo-essays/2019/01/02/jainism-its-cosmic-view
The "shining" wisdom got me thinking...
I adapted this out of the Flower Garland Sutra some time ago.
If you see a river, pray that beings gain entrance into the stream and into the ocean of wisdom. If you see a reservoir, pray that beings swiftly taste the one taste of the Dharma. If you see a pond, pray that beings become great in locution and skillful in preaching. If you see a well, pray that beings draw deep from the well of reason to disclose all dharmas. If you see a spring, pray that beings have inexhaustible roots of virtue. If you see a bridge, pray that beings carry all across to safety, as via a bridge. If you see a waterfall, pray that all beings cleanse the stains of delusion.
A lot of people don't like the idea of the words "pray" and "prayer" in Buddhism. If "prayer" isn't for you, maybe "wish" instead? A prayer can be a wish, an intention, a psychic transmission of goodwill. "I pray you make it home safe." "I am sending my goodwill with you that, if it can help at all, you might be safe." Many would say that meditation itself is a kind of "prayer." A prayer to what? For what? Does prayer need an "object?" Many Buddhists also do not like to say "worship," but where does "reverence and wonder" end and "worship" begin? When we observe the Buddha's precepts, they are said to "shine." "Vinayakammāni dippanti," "They make their upholdings of the discipline shine." Shining things are wondrous, no?
I would very much like to be mindful of water like this piece adapted out of the Flower Garland whenever I see a river, stream, etc. We will see how long I remember to "pray" and if I can make anything "shine" this year.