Online Application (Closed)
Three types of Wisdom: (through) Listening, Reflection and Meditation
Date: 7/2 – 7/6, 2014
From Camp Director: Abbot, Dr. Dhammadipa
Buddhism is about living in accordance with the truth, henceforth wisdom pays a great deal in the Buddhist scriptures and practice is highly emphasized by the Buddha. There are numerous kinds of wisdom. However, in a nutshell, it can be divided into three types: Wisdom through Listening (śrutamayīprajñā), Wisdom through Reflection (cintāmayīprajñā), Wisdom through Meditation (bhāvanāmayīprajñā). Wisdom through Listening is obtained by having great faith to the Buddhist doctrines and tenets. The second type of Wisdom, through Reflection, is achieved by observance of the teachings. The third type, Wisdom through Meditation is realized by establishing the higher Samādhi(concentration state) as its foundation prior to giving rise to the wisdom. In other words, the first type of wisdom, carrying by the words or sentences,is conveyed through the languages and concepts. As for the second type, wisdom is gained from the reflection of words whereas the meanings and knowledge come along. The erudition of scriptures does not end in the scriptures themselves, hence a practitioner should penetrating deeper into the meaning by examining and reflecting. But, the Wisdom through Meditation which is the up most wisdom recognized by the Buddha is acquired by the direct experience on the meaning without confining oneself to names. Everyone has to go through the wisdom derived from Hearing, Thinking and Meditation successively in order to obtain the ultimate wisdom without influx.
In a gist, Wisdom through Listening includes learning the teachings from the masters, or studies in the texts. The pivot of the learning is to comprehend the principle tenets of Buddhism. Wisdom through Listening without doubts serves as the foundation of giving rise to the rest of the wisdom, and is achieved usually by an open mind. This type of wisdom can only be gained by learning tirelessly with focus on the essence of the Buddha’s teachings: impermanence, unsatisfactory, emptiness and selfless. Hence the Buddhist texts and commentaries said “observing the truth as such from impermanence, from selflessness and from appeasement of Nirvāna is called Wisdom through Listening. As for the Wisdom through Reflection, unlike Wisdom through Listening, words, sentences, languages, and concepts become less of a concern. Rather the development of Wisdom through Reflection necessitates an application of proper mental attention and reflection established by resolving on the meaning of the teachings as well as by developing high concentration states (dhyāna). Unlike the pervious type of wisdom, once the Samādhi (concentration state) is fully established, coupling withhigh concentration states and even supernatural powers, one perceives the Dharma such as impermanence, unsatisfactory, emptiness, and selflessness by observing the five aggregates, twelve bases etc.
Three types of wisdom can be understood in gradual as seeds give rise to sprouts and then sprouts give rise to stalk where the leaves, flowers and fruits stem form. Although the previous two types of wisdom are not yet secure,they serve as supportive conditions to bright up Wisdom through Meditation. Nonetheless, all the merits of purification and learning to gain the wisdom are mutually beneficial and inclusive for achieving the ultimate purpose of practice.
Last but not least, I wish the summer camp in 2014 will not only give you a platform to make friends and have a good times at the monastery, but also you will be able to bring in the wisdom from the Buddha and His noble disciples into your ocean of wisdom!