What happened to wisdom? A response

In response to the article titled ‘What happened to wisdom’ by Geewananda Gunawardana, Ph.D. on Sept 24 instance of The Island, I would like to add the following thoughts: Generosity (dana) and moral discipline (sila) are the basic levels of the eightfold noble path prescribed by Buddha.

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They both purify the mind and may be compared to kindergarten education.

Wisdom (panna) is the next level and is based on three steps and could be compared to primary and higher education:

1.Wisdom based on thinking (cinta-maya panna)

2.Wisdom based on listening and reading. Dhamma was written down before the birth of Christ in Sri Lanka (sutamya panna).

3.Wisdom based on mental development (bhavanamay panna).

Wisdom is developed gradually by these three methods and the highest degree is attained when enlightened. Modern human beings are literate and have many ways of listening to the teachings of the Buddha. Following acquisition of knowledge, the next step is mental development. Mental development starts with practice of mindfulness in life activities and proceeds to samatha meditation based on development of the ability to focus on a single object for a long time (samadhi). Mindfulness meditation is the most accessible out of forty types of samatha meditation and could be compared to secondary school level of education.