aInternational Buddhist Studies College, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13170, Thailand
bKing Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
cThai Airways International Public Company Ltd., Bangkok 10900, Thailand
*Corresponding author, e-mail:
petchsanu@googlemail.com
Abstract
This article adopted a qualitative approach using content analysis aiming to explore wisdom and virtue according to Mahāyāna, a great vehicle for carrying all beings to Nirvana. Wisdom and virtue are important characteristics that cannot be separated, and all three branches of Buddhism focus on such principles. Thus, the comprehension of distinctive points of wisdom and virtue from a Mahāyāna perspective is needed for in-depth discussion. In Mahāyāna, wisdom is emphasized as a quality for understanding the surroundings that all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas also have. Virtue is further separated into three main facets (known as the Threefold Training) with Mahāyāna Buddhist lens. They are morality, a purified mind, and perfection. The Six Perfections to improve the Threefold Training are underlined by Prajñapāramitā Sūtra for Bodhisattvas. Applying this important wisdom and morality ultimately leads to an integrated dimension of developing virtuous living in the modern world.
Keywords
Buddhism, Mahāyāna, Bodhisattvas, virtue, wisdom