Dhamma Talks - What Leads To Wisdom :: Buddhapadipa Thai Temple

Wisdom is the ultimate knowledge which all want to achieve. And what leads to that wisdom? The Buddha once answered this question*, he said, “Monks, Dhamma which leads to wisdom consists of two things; firstly Samatha (calmness) and then Vipassana (insight). Samatha, which anyone learns and practises, calms down her or his mind. The calm mind can abandon desire. Vipassana, which anyone learns and practises, gives clear understanding right to her or his mind. The clear and wise mind can abandon ignorance.” Here is more about Samatha and Vispassana;

Samatha and Vipassana are the two main types of Buddhist meditation. There is discussion about them; some say this one is better than the other. That is just saying, it is said that whoever says that, neither really knows nor practises either of them. The Buddha said, “Samatha and Vipassana are duo Dhamma.” In practical terms they cannot be separated from each other; they go side by side. In a rhetorical sense they may be separated but in practice they always go side by side.

It is said that if a meditator has no Vipassana, he cannot enter Samatha. He might be able to do so for a while, but that is just because of his previous action, which does not last long. When he enters Samatha, he must abandon the past, and future and abide in the present consciousness; for this he needs Vipassana.

It is also said that if a meditator has no Samatha; he cannot get rid of desire. He gets struck in the hindrances. This is comparable to those who know a lot of Dhamma, but cannot use any of it, or those, who know what is right or wrong, but still do wrong actions, even if they know exactly. The Buddha called those people, “Empty man or holy book.”

So both of them; Samatha and Vipassana, must go together, whatever phenomena; painful or happy, arise, they must be observed, intentionally and mindfully. Usually Samatha concentrates on a happy object, but Vipassana observes a painful one. It is said that it is marvellous if the meditator can do both at the same time, because at the end, happy or painful object must both be left behind. Some meditators observe all painful objects, but when they confront happy ones, they become distracted or get caught in happy objects. Some always concentrate on happy objects, and then they suffer, because they crave to prolong them, but they are uncontrollable. So it is said that, in the end, both happy and painful objects must be left behind, or let go of.

Before letting go of both, don’t forget to learn and remember their value. From considering and observing them, wisdom rises. It is said that consideration of all phenomena gives rise to wisdom, which helps us see the truth, and to accept the truth gives rise to unconditioned happiness. The Buddha said that to attain happiness, mankind must get rid of suffering. It connot get pure happiness without confronting suffering, and he added, “Seeing suffering is seeing the path leading to ultimate happiness.”

In Samatha-meditation, there are 40 objects which lead to calmness or concentration, but in Vipassana it can be said that everything occurring to mind and body is the object. In general, there are two objects: matter and mind, or nama and rupa which lead to wisdom or deep, right, understanding. Both meditation methods are taught by the Buddha, they are tools which can lead mankind out of the cycle of life. These two types of meditation are guaranteed and proved by the Buddha himself, and his disciples. Many examples are written about and explained, don’t die reading or listening, but practise to develop yourself and help others. The results await you, just start doing the practice; no more thinking or saying. That’s it really.

*Dukkhanibata Angguttara Nikaya