Wisdom and Virtue in Mahāyāna Buddhism

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.