Training in Higher Wisdom (Insight Meditation)

Lord Buddha stated: A competent monk with the diligence and wisdom to cultivate himself who is firmly established in moral training and pursues mental training and wisdom to attainment should be able to slash through this thick underbrush [of passion]. (Sanyutta-Nikaya, 20).

Those practicing Samatha and Vipassana meditation who wish to reach Nirvana, the ultimate goal of Buddhism, must study the right practice according to the Threefold Training. This means those who are already firm in Higher Morality and Higher Mentality, maintaining themselves far from all wrong action, having integrated the diligence and wisdom to take care of themselves properly. These seekers should develop higher wisdom through the practice of meditation in order to get rid of the Fetters which  are defilements deeply embedded in the Five Aggregates of this world. By practicing Vipassana Meditation, one will develop the thirty seven qualities contributing to enlightenment (Bodhipakkhiyadhamma) and the Ten Perfections (Parami). In doing so, one will abandon all defilements and Fetters to reach the end of all suffering which is Nirvana.

The practices of Higher Morality and Higher Mentality have already been explained in the first and second parts. In this part, Higher Wisdom will be explained.