Wisdom is the ability,
Developed through experience,
Insight and reflection,
To discern truth and
Exercise good judgment.
Developed through experience,
Insight and reflection,
To discern truth and
Exercise good judgment.
The last and sixth perfection, the perfection of wisdom, (transcendental wisdom), is called prajñaparamita in Sanskrit, and is practiced while performing the other perfections.
Wisdom is not the same as “worldly intelligence”, we can be very intelligent but have little wisdom, like the scientist who can develop weapons of mass destruction but have no idea how to lead a peaceful and virtuous life. Wisdom enables one to be self-guided in virtue, ridding our minds of disturbing emotions and ignorance. Wisdom allows us to see the truth about how things really are and develop compassion towards all living beings; ultimately we gain enlightenment and become a Buddha.
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in his excellent book “The Bodhisattva Vow” says “Wisdom is a virtuous mind that functions mainly to dispel doubt and confusion by understanding its object thoroughly. Wisdom practiced with bodhichitta motivation is a perfection of wisdom.”
We can gain wisdom through:
Studying the teachings of Buddha.
Citical investigation of reality.
Insight meditation. (Sanskrit: vipashyana).
Special insight is only possible if one has developed a calm abiding mind as perfected in the practice of concentration. Wisdom is a part of all of the paramitas, that is the foundations of the six perfections. To be wise is to be charitable, disciplined, patient, determined, mindful, and the result is the development of wisdom. Wisdom comes with time and cannot be hurried, we are all wiser with hindsight, our wisdom will evolve as we take each step of our lives. We will become wise when we see our truth, our failures, our successes, our efforts, and so on as just what they are, impermanent moments of our being. Letting go of these is the fruit of our wisdom.
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