The 2nd Step: Associating with the Wise
The general knowledge that is used to define a person who is "wise" is usually perceived as one who has graduated and received a degree.
However, even those who received degrees are still capable of making unwise judgements and can still do bad things that can put them in prison. This is an example of someone who may be considered "wise" according to their educational degrees, but not "wise" in their conscious actions and judgements.
Someone who is truly wise is one who has the good judgement to intentionally abstain from evil deeds and rejoice in practicing righteousness, moral conduct, and honesty. He will have the good conscience to discriminate what is right or wrong, good or evil, meritorious or unmeritorious, and proper or improper.
Furthermore, he can help others to possess the "Right View."1 This type of person places his faith into upholding values and life with wisdom.
A clear, purified, and peaceful mind brings about a truly wise individual. In other words, a well-controlled mind is conducive to happiness, good thoughts, and peacefulness so that he is absent from resentment, anxiousness, misery, and restlessness. With such qualities of the mind, the wise man encompasses only good thoughts, speeches, and actions.
The characteristics of a truly wise individual are not restricted to one's literacy or education attainment. The following qualities are examples that describe one who is wise:
Righteous Thoughts:
1) Being generous.
2) Wishing others well and forgiving at all times.
3) Absence of vengeful thoughts.
4) Having the correct understanding of the reality of good and bad. For example, acknowledging that good and evil deeds do exist and can come to pass, and that one does owe the debt of gratitude to one's parents.
Righteous Speeches:
1) Speaking only the truth.
2) Speaking words that encourage loving harmonyamong people.
3) Speaking words which are of use to others.
4) Speaking with kindness.
5) Speaking artfully and with tactfulness; appropriate to the occasion, place, and time.
Righteous Actions:
1) Offering loving kindness and compassion.
2) Earning an honest living.
3) Giving alms.
4) Practicing moral conduct and the Five Precepts.³
5) Meditating and being mindful.
Therefore, a genuinely wise individual is notnecessarily just well educated but is complete withmoral virtues, wisdom, a right way of living, and has a controlled mind. Furthermore, he is capable of teaching others close to him and can teach them to carefully consider their actions.
