Mil 2.1.8 Characteristics of Attention and Wisdom
Mil 2.1.8: Characteristics of Attention and Wisdom
The king asked: "Venerable Nagasena, what is the distinguishing characteristic of attention, and what is the distinguishing characteristic of wisdom?"
"Examination is the distinguishing characteristic of attention, and severing is the distinguishing characteristic of wisdom."
"How is examination the distinguishing characteristic of attention; and how is severing the distinguishing characteristic of wisdom? Give me an analogy."
"Do you know barley-reapers, your majesty?"
"Yes, venerable sir, I know them."
"How, your majesty, do barley-reapers reap barley?"
"Venerable sir, they take a sheaf of barley in the left hand, and take a sickle in the right hand, and they cut with the sickle."
"Just as, your majesty, a barley-reaper takes a sheaf of barley in the left hand, takes a sickle in the right hand, and cuts the barley, even so, your majesty, does the spiritual aspirant take hold of the mind with attention, and cut off the defilements with wisdom. Indeed thus, your majesty, examination is the distinguishing characteristic of attention, and severing is the distinguishing characteristic of wisdom."
"You are clever, venerable Nagasena."