Prajñâ-paramita or the perfection of wisdom (prajñâ) means the accomplishment of the six paramitas or perfections. Our Bodhisattva has taken hold, in other words, of all six perfections which are: 1) generosity (dâna); 2) virtue (sîla); 3) tolerance (ksânti); 4) energy/resolve (vîrya); 5) meditation (dhyâna); 6) wisdom (prajñâ).
As surprising as it might seem to the beginner or the struggling veteran of several years, wisdom or prajñâ is the ability to distinguish between our true nature (also, Buddha-nature, pure Mind, etc.), and its phenomenalizations which are empty and illusory; which have no eternal nature.
Wisdom, in general, is one’s ability, for example, to distinguish the straight from the crooked, right from wrong, something well made from an inferior product, a healthy lifestyle from a degenerate one. It is also like being able to distinguish the raw element of gold from the shape of gold, in the example of a gold lion. The highest wisdom can be expressed this way. If you happen to go outside (as I am about to do for my walk) look at all the trees, the stream and the clouds above (I live in a very woody neighborhood). All that you see is the phenomenalization of your true nature or pure Mind. Not any of it is real, that is, not as real as your true nature which, unfortunately, you have yet to realize. But when you do finally realize it, you will be utterly amazed. There is no way to describe it.
To get to wisdom, one has to work on the first five paramitas. Keep in mind that paramitas four, five and six are extremely subtle and difficult (that is an understatement!). We might say that the first three paramitas, generosity, virtue, and tolerance help us to accomplish the last three.
If we don’t have the resolve or energy (vîrya) to penetrate through our thoughts (dhyâna) so that we might uncover their true essence or substance from which they are composed, how will we have wisdom/prajñâ which can discern the One Mind from its phenomenalizations (our cosmos)?
I like Heidegger, Methexis. Don't get me wrong. But quoting someone is a form of duality and a means to disguise reality from ourselves.
Posted by: n. yeti | March 25, 2014 at 11:14 AM
N. Yeti: "...und ich würde sagen: kein Mensch ist ohne Religion, und jeder Mensch ist gewisser Weise über sich hinaus, das heisst, verrückt."
Posted by: Methexis | March 23, 2014 at 02:14 PM
Methexis, you will not offend my religion because I do not have one.
Posted by: n. yeti | March 23, 2014 at 10:37 AM
(@Neti-neti) I used to get too drunk at times ... one night I drank a whole bottle of Russian Vodka and provoked or attempted to troll, if you will, some advanced Bodhisattvas, and so they concluded I must be insane.
I'm not denying that because, to be honest, I don't even know if mental illness exists. In fact, it doesn't:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQegsqYhuZE
It might be a social construct used to control people. I'm not a revolutionary but it's pretty obvious that the psychiatrist, the priest and the government official or policeman are all doing the same job.
Anyway, what they call mental illness is just a radical insistence on brutal honesty.
I maintain that the spiritual traditions are built on marketing, and that hagiography is an ancient version of Photoshop. That's why it would be good if people read a few books on marketing strategies before embarking on the so called spiritual quest!
The Zennist and Stuart Lachs have done a lot of good to show that a lot of history of Zen is Photoshopped.
Now, the Zennist seems to admit that a good portion of religion is just a con, while there is still the pristine, spiritual core. He might be right, I don't know. I have my doubts, but I better not continue or I will disrespect people's religion here.
Posted by: Methexis | March 22, 2014 at 12:14 PM