Buddhism For Beginners 7

7. Wisdom

Buddhism aims at the attainment of wisdom as the third core teaching of the Buddha; this comes about through purification or training of the mind to gain the wisdom to solve the problems of life. The Buddha said that all Dhamma had wisdom as its highest goal so it can be said that Buddhism is not a religion of faith or dogma, but of wisdom. This seems to be a weak point of Buddhism because it gives more freedom of thought to people, therefore there may be instances where they do not know at which point to begin learning and practising. Some people will practise according to their wisdom or understanding of the teachings. However, the Dhamma and Vinaya that the Buddha expounded for all people, if practised correctly, will develop discipline in life. This is in turn very important for the development of wisdom as Buddhist study and practice require self discipline.

The religions of the world adhere to three main teachings as follows:
1. The teaching of faith, this leaves the followers learning and practising according to their faith in a Supreme Being. The teachings are followed and there is no room for questioning and doubt, at all. Faith alone is said to lead to the goal of the teaching. This is the belief of a faith-based religion.
2. The teaching of morality, this leaves the followers learning and practising morality. It is the development of morality and the purity of one’s conduct that will lead to the goal of the teaching. This kind of belief, Buddhism regards as adherence to rules and rituals.
3. The teaching of meditation, this kind of belief depends on the ability to develop concentration of the mind. Various meditative experiences are the goal of this teaching.

Buddhism does not pay much attention to those beliefs but, instead, it regards those beliefs as the foundation or the tools helping its followers to the ultimate goal. The Buddha once said that mankind could overcome the round of rebirth with faith or confidence, and he could attain Nibbana by morality and meditation. This means that faith, morality, and concentration will lead mankind to make an effort to learn and practise or develop itself for the better, until it can eliminate all causes of suffering, which is called the state of Nibbana.

In fact, Buddhism gives most importance to wisdom, all learning and practices are for giving rise to wisdom. Without wisdom, all learning and practices can give rise to wrong views. Wisdom is compared to the simile of cutting wood:
1. Intention or will to cut the wood (defilements) is faith or confidence.
2. A good start or foundation for cutting is morality.
3. Power or exertion required to cut is concentration.
4. Good, sharp equipment for cutting is wisdom.
All four kinds must work together interdependently, we cannot dispense with any of them because they all have important roles, especially wisdom, as it is that which cuts the rope which ties mankind to the round of rebirth and suffering. This kind of wisdom is called Vipassana or insight which is only found in Buddhism and Buddhist practice.

Vipassana is a Pali word which means wisdom or insight. Wisdom is at the core of Buddhism and binds all the teachings of the Buddha together. As the Buddha once said, All mankind is threatened by disasters so he adheres to things such as mountains and big trees as his refuge but all such things cannot be his refuge because they cannot help him escape from suffering or lead to the truth of life. Only those who take the triple gem as their refuge and realise the four noble truths through wisdom; discerning suffering, its cause, the path leading to its end, and following the middle path leading to the cessation of suffering, can escape suffering. This is the real refuge. As explained above, wisdom or insight plays the most important role in leading mankind to the end of suffering.