February 15, 2022
After explaining about virtues of precepts and giving, today, let’s try to clearly understand the virtues of wisdom. Wisdom can be classified into two types as follows.
Worldly wisdom means wisdom for living in the hypothetical world in order to have a prosperous life. In other words, it is the wisdom for making living and solving problems, and also to differentiate what is useful from what is not.
It enables a person to differentiate what is meritorious and what is sinful and to perceive the hypothetical world.
Supramundane wisdom means the wisdom to clearly perceive illusion in the world. It will liberate living creatures from worldly illusion.
The supramundane wisdom also means liberation from suffering by means of wisdom. The supramundane wisdom is the result of the Dharma practice.
One would acquire both worldly wisdom and supramundane wisdom from listening and learning.
Then, one must analyze and contemplate everything that one has learned.
Then, one must develop one’s wisdom and understanding through practice. One shall obtain wisdom from their own experiences. It also means the continuous development of one’s perception of the world as it is.
Both the worldly wisdom and the supramundane wisdom will follow them to the next lives called inborn wisdom.
Worldly wisdom enables a person to do, say, or think correctly.
– It also lessens one’s suffering and difficulty.
– It enables a person to manage their own life and effectively cope with problems.
– It increases one’s qualifications as a noble human.
– A person with wisdom shall be born in a blissful state after death and is beloved among humans and deities.
The supramundane wisdom has the following virtues.
– It enables a person to live in both the hypothetical world and the ultimate world with freedom.
– It enables a person to be prosperous in both worlds.
– One shall easily attain cessation of perception and feeling as well as reach the Path leading to the Cessation of Suffering.
– One will be a role model for humans and deities.
In fact, the Dharma has unexplainably magnificent and enormous virtues. In short, those who practice the Dharma shall live happily both in this and the next lives.
Buddha Isara
