Sunday, November 02, 2008

Buddhism and Wisdom

OK, so after a lovely night with my family and celebrating my Dad's 70th birthday, it reminded me about how important and permanent family is and indeed, the reliability of family. I also enjoyed being around friends later and met some new people who seemed sweet and into the outdoor party scene, which is all good cos I still like the outdoor vibe and indeed, hope to attend a outdoor party this weekend depending on lift and freinds going along etc etc.
Today, I've been in reflective, sort of sad and soul searching mode. I remember attending the buddhist Centre not long ago and asking an opinion about something regarding love and destruction. I remember the old man who responded to my question said sometimes in life, we have to practise something known as wisdom and indeed, Buddhist wisdom. In other words he was saying that no matter how kind and good we are to others, sometimes it's necessary to be wise and take the path of wisdom, especially when something may be causing upset..

Here's a brief explanation about basic wisdom and indeed, not solely confined to matters of the heart or head but just basic principles.

The highest wisdom is seeing that in reality all phenomena are incomplete, impermanent, and not self. This understanding is totally freeing and leads to the great security and happiness which is called Nirvana. However, the Buddha doesn't speak too much about this level of wisdom. It is not wisdom if we simply believe what we are told. True wisdom is to directly see and understand for ourselves. At this level then, wisdom is to keep an open mind rather than being closed-minded, listening to other points of view rather than being bigoted; to carefully examine facts that contradict our beliefs, rather than burying our heads in the sand; to be objective rather than prejudiced and partisan; to take time about forming our opinions and beliefs rather than just accepting the first or most emotional thing that is offered to us; and to always be ready to change our beliefs when facts that contradict them are presented to us. A person who does this is certainly wise and is certain to eventually arrive at true understanding. The path of just believing what you are told is easy.
The Buddhist path requires courage, patience, flexibility and intelligence.


I think a visit to the buddhist centre again is calling me..maybe this Friday I'll head to the wonderful lunch time meditation again.

1 comment:

Furtheron said...

"The path of just believing what you are told is easy."

So true