A Study on the Ascetic Practices of Commandments, Concentration and Wisdom

Many types of ascetic practices for driving away worldly passions and attaining spiritual awakening are described in Buddhist scriptures. One of them is the Three Learnings preached to bhikkhus and Ananda.<br>The Three Learnings is explained in detail in the Agama, Vinaya, and Hinayana and Mahayana scriptures. However, some versions of Hinayana and Mahayana scriptures describe the method of practicing the Three Learnings in different ways.<br>The Samyutta Nikaya, Abhidharmasamgitiparyayapadasastra, Mahasamghika ainaya, Yogacarabhumi, etc. mention the observance of commandments and the maintenance of the pratimoksasamvara as the practice of commandments, the performance of four meditations as the practice of concentration, and the understanding of the fourfold noble truth as the practice of wisdom.<br>However, the Culavedalla Sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya, Vimuttimagga, etc. mention the performance of the eightfold holy path as the practice of the Three Learnings, and the Samdhinirmocana Sutra, Mahayanasutralamkara, etc. mention the Six Paramitas as the practice of the Three Learnings.<br>In addition, many Buddhist scriptures describe obstacles to practicing the Three Learnings and stages and results attained through the practice the Three Learnings slightly differently.<br>Because they established the methods of practicing the Three Learnings, obstacles to the practice, stages, etc. differently according to the age of composition of the texts and the sect to which they belong, opinions suggested in these scriptures are various.