reflection wrote:In my opinion, Buddhism isn't about knowledge, it's about wisdom, which represents itself in feelings rather than intellectual stuff. I think it's always good to have a solid basis in your practice rather than knowledge. Because thoughts are always wrong, as in not 100% correct. Some take the way with suttas leading their practice, others take the way of practice leading the suttas. It's just what you prefer, but in the end even suttas are not right, because they are knowledge, not wisdom. The Buddha's insights were very simple; it's just like it is. But a problem arises when we don't see how it is, so he used many words to get us to change our view. But these words were not the view itself. So no need to remember the words if we can just see.
It's like somebody trying to explain what an elephant looks like. He can talk for hours and hours, but it's better if we just take a look. So instead of arguing whether it's green or red, it turns out to be grey.
Thanks Guys and Girls, I found all of your responses to be very encouraging. I particularly liked the quoted response from 'Reflection'. Wisdom takes time though and sometimes skilful means are almost impossible to come by.
It makes me think of how sensitive people can be and also cultural differences. To be skilful requires a lot of patience and sometimes an unskilful word has effects that seems to never go away. I would have given up everything I have if I could spend a day or two in the Buddha's presence.
I sometimes get the feeling he was a ‘not-so-sensitive’ teacher.
What do you think?
