The path to perfect wisdom?

Question

It is a defect in language that words suggest permanent realities and people do not see through this deception. But mere words cannot create reality. Thus people speak of a final goal and believe it is real, but it is a form of words and the goal as such is without substance. The one who realizes the emptiness of objects and concepts does not depend on words. Perfect wisdom is beyond definition, and pathlessness is the way to it.

The wise one treads this path for the direct realization of impermanence and for the direct realization of understanding. This, then, is perfect wisdom. Such a one should tread this path knowing that attachment and attractions are neither good nor harmful, even enlightenment is neither good nor harmful, because perfect wisdom is not meant to promote good or harm for that person. However, even though there is no intention of good or harm, it does confer endless blessing.

-Prajnaparamita

Peace and Love

Answer 1

Pathlessness is not a path - you are set on a path in life and every choice you make, every moment that passes you by, leads in new directions. Wisdom can never be perfect. The soul keeps searching.

Answer 2

Is there perfect wisdom in these words? Are these words not the conveyors of reality?

I agree that everything is limited and merely a facsimile. There is a limit to the distance and amount of colors your eyes can see. Your ears do not perceive distant sounds, nor do they hear all pitches. The representaion of touch is merely a swath. Your bones do not tingle at the slightest touch, your nerves become numb when pain is too intense and your body goes into shock. Tastes and smells are also smal swaths of a larger spectrum of flavor and scent. Proof is that all these sense can be "heightened" with the use of various narcotics. All tools are limited in their use. Words, again, are limited in their use. It just seems to me to close one's eyes and meditate only allows the brain to process the plethora of information it has received from the senses while in a state of relaxation, shutting down all extraneous senses from any further distractions.

Is consciousness yet another tool of existence? A sense beyond the routine five? Perhaps if every sense can be heightened, then consciousness itself can also be heightened.

Answer 3

I think this particular phrasing of a very conventional idea--live in the present moment, without desire or direction--is fairly shortsighted. Very fine reasoning if you have the wherewithal to lead a completely meditative hermetic existence, but not terribly useful if you plan on having any human interactions or actually plan to do anything.

And the idea that words suggest permanent realities is perilously naive, by the bye. And words can't create realities? Go out and promise a child something--see how real that promise is to her.

Answer 4

I also received this daily wisdom and here are my thoughts on it.
Here and now we are able to tune into the wisdom inherent in each of us. By letting go of all clinging, all desire, we are able to taste life unburdened. We are able to exist in a place of power within, the power of patience, of mindfulness, of loving kindness, of peace. So in the end it may seem as if there is a path to understanding, but in truth we already are there we just don't know it yet.



"The mind is naturally pure and radiant.
But external objects pollute the mind
Through the influences of senses
And mental faculties or defilement's."

Answer 5

Knowledge is the path to perfect wisdom.

Answer 6

What Prajnaparamita described is in direct contradiction to what Christ taught--which is passionate attachment to right means and ends. So you have to choose. Research what Jesus teaches and compare it to what Prajnaparamita teaches. Pray, decide, and act. "I believe so that I might understand." -Augustine of Hippo

Answer 7

you sound to have found eternal salvation and balance ... however, in life, balance is only the balance of dynamics and of action - it is not a static constant - it is energy, movement, life

:)