Wisdom – panna / prajna The wisdom element of the Eightfold Path features in Right Understanding This implies the obvious but is often misunderstood i.e

Wisdom – panna / prajna

• The wisdom element of the Eightfold Path features in Right Understanding

• This implies the obvious but is often misunderstood

• i.e. – in order to practise we need to have heard or read the Buddha’s teachings


• This means that Buddhists will have actively penetrated the truth of the Four Noble Truths and tested them against their experience

• Buddhists who want to follow the way will be following it based on informed confidence in the soundness of the teachings rather than just blind faith


• The wisdom element of the Eightfold Path also features in Right Thought

• In other words, Buddhists need to show the correct motivation for following the path. They need to move away from the ego and towards a selfless existence


• None of us have perfect understanding or thought from the start. We are often advancing our own cause according to the Buddha’s teaching by devising plots, plans and strategies

• We often have egoistic thoughts and hedonistic fantasies. We ought to be more altruistic


• How might a Buddhist put this into practice?

• Act responsibly towards the environment for example


• ‘All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become.’ The Buddha

• ‘There is nothing so disobedient as an undisciplined mind, and there is nothing so obedient as a disciplined mind.’ The Buddha


• ‘He is able who thinks he is able.’ The Buddha

• ‘What we think, we become.’ The Buddha


• Conclusions• 1. Right Understanding

or view - is the true understanding of the Four Noble Truths.

• 2. Right Thought or Intention is the true desire to free oneself from attachment, ignorance, and hatefulness.


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The mind is the source of happiness and unhappiness.

The thought manifests as the word. The word manifests as the deed. The deed develops into habit. And the habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care. And let it spring from love, born out of concern for all beings.

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Wisdom – panna / prajna The wisdom element of the Eightfold Path features in Right Understanding This implies the obvious but is often misunderstood i.e