What is Wisdom?
Wisdom is the ability to understand the dhamma, the teachings of the Buddha, which is categorized in three core, interrelated, and interdependent teachings, the ti-sikkha:
sīla (morality, 戒)
samādhi (tranquility, 定)
paññā (wisdom, 慧 )
How does one develop wisdom?
We develop morality, tranquility and wisdom through study and the practice of meditation, the means by which we cultivate awareness of all phenomena.
The Buddha taught The Noble Eightfold Path (Ariyo Attanghiko Magga) as the means by which one reaches ultimate happiness, nibbāna. Each step of the Eightfold Path fall corresponds one of the ti-sikkha - morality, tranquility and wisdom.
Morality
Right Speech (Samma Vaca)
Right Action (Samma Kammanta)
Right Livelihood (Samma Ajiva)
Moral solidity is a perquisite for tranquility.
Tranquility
Right Effort (Samma Vayama)
Right Mindfulness (Samma Sati)
Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi)
A tranquil provides a strong foundation for cultivating wisdom.
Wisdom
Right Understanding (Samma Ditthi)
Right Thought (Samma Sankappa)
Wisdom supports the means by which we are moral and virtuous and cultivate tranquility.
Sīla, morality and virtue, begins with generosity. Generous deeds teach us to cultivate happiness within ourselves and in others without taking - by only giving of ourself through our words, actions, and attention. It is in this way we lay for ourselves a moral foundation from which we can develop further sīla, samādhi, and paññā.
All conditioned things are impermanent.
When one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering.
All conditioned things are unsatisfactory.
When one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering.
All things are not-self.
When one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering.
Dhammapada 260
Buddha Sāsanaṁ Ciraṁ Tiṭṭhatu!
May the Buddha’s teachings last a long time!
Bhavatu Sabba Sotiṁ ca Maṅgalaṁ ca!!
May everyone be led on the path of peace and blessing!!
Sādhu Sādhu Sādhu !