The Perfection of Equanimity - Perfections and their opposed defilements II



We read in the Commentary about panna :

“Wisdom opposes them in so far as greed, etc., create blindness,

while knowledge restores sight.”

 
Wisdom is opposed to akusala as it dispels the darkness of attachment and restores sight. As soon as we have seen something, attachment is bound to arise. When panna is lacking, there is no opposition to lobha which is very skilful in clinging to all the sense objects. However, when panna arises, attachment cannot arise at the same time; panna is opposed to attachment. Only panna can dispel the darkness of attachment.
When panna arises, it is able to understand the true nature of the reality that appears. Panna understands kusala as kusala and akusala as akusala. As panna develops, it will know the characteristics of realities as they are, so that the darkness of ignorance can be overcome.
We read about energy and patience:

“Energy opposes lobha by arousing the true way

free from both listlessness and restlessness. 

 

Patience opposes lobha by accepting the desirable, the undesirable, and emptiness.”

 

Each of the perfections is of great benefit provided we duly reflect on them and gradually accumulate them. If, in circumstances which are a test to our endurance, we reflect on patience, we can accumulate it. There can be patience with regard to disagreeable objects and to desirable objects of which we can realize the emptiness.
We read about truthfulness:

“Truthfulness is the opposite of lobha

because it proceeds in accordance with fact, 

no matter whether others render help or inflict harm.”

 

Because of truthfulness we can know what is right and what is wrong, no matter in what circumstances we are. 


Topic 286