..续本文上一页 they”re still concerned with samadhi, are proceeding into more subtle and refined aspects of the heart. The levels of momentary concentration, access concentration and attainment concentration5 show the refining of samadhi. This culminates in attainment concentration, and beyond that samadhi can”t advance.

　　Once the heart has some degree of calm, according to the level of samadhi achieved, it is stilled and refined. However, without developing mindfulness and wisdom6 it will just remain at that level, lacking wisdom radically to uproot its defilements.7 If we compare the defilements to a tree, although we may have pruned the branches the main trunk remains uncut and is still capable of sending out new branches.

　　This is why we”re taught to investigate by way of wisdom. Wisdom is a keen intelligence and ingenuity. It is able to investigate and follow through without any limitation. The Lord Buddha described wisdom-and-knowledge — being even more refined than wisdom — in the Discourse of Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion. Listen to this:

　　"Nyaa.na.m udapaadi, panyaa udapaadi, vijjaa udapaadi, aaloko udapaadi."

　　"Knowledge arose, wisdom arose, higher-knowledge arose, light arose."

　　Knowledge or vijjaa refers basically to the Threefold Knowledge.8 Wisdom arose, and, with greater refinement, higher- knowledge arose — arising right from this same heart. Wisdom is that which removes the defilements covering the heart, whereas samadhi is simply that which herds the defilements together in quietness within the heart. It is not yet capable of cutting off any defilements. The heart”s attachment, which embroils it with various things, remains intact though it”s weakening. Once the heart gains some calm and peace, wisdom can come into its own as the important weapon that strikes down and uproots all the different defilements in the heart, step by step.

　　"Samaadhi-paribhaavitaa panyaa mahapphalaa hoti mahaanisa.msaa."

　　There! "Wisdom once supported and nurtured in samadhi, is of great fruit and great advantage." Its examination becomes skilled, its scrutiny agile and bold, so that it is able to cut away the defilements one after another.

　　"Panyaa-paribhaavita.m citta.m sammadeva aasavehi vimuccati."

　　"The heart nurtured with wisdom gains proper release from the cankers."

　　Listen to that! It”s wisdom alone that can uproot the defilements; it doesn”t matter whether they are gross, intermediate or subtle, no defilement lies beyond the scope of wisdom. This is a primary principle that secures the quality and value of our practice, which is the total elimination of the defilements from the heart. It”s the same practice which the Lord Buddha and his Noble Disciples have already completed before us.

　　Thus samadhi and wisdom can”t be separated from each other. Whatever our character and tendencies might be, samadhi is always needed as a quiet resting place for the heart. The heart rests from work, by stilling in samadhi its thoughts and preoccupations. Even work in the world requires a period of rest and recuperation — making do without is just not possible. This may certainly use up working-time but, just as eating uses up food and the money needed to buy that food, it is necessary that the body has renewed vigour to continue its work. Resting and sleeping may waste some time but, again, they give the constitution new strength to fulfill its duties and tasks. Otherwise it won”t be able to go on.

　　This use of time and material to provide for and restrengthen the body is certainly not wasted. Rather, they act like fuel for a car, which won”t go anywhere without it. Samadhi and wisdom have the same sort of relationship. The mind needs time to be still and calm in samadhi, and, after it has rested, it can then continue its investigation using mindful…

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