TO ASSOCIATE WITH THE WISE

2. Paditanan ca sevana- To associate with the wise.
A wise person is one who possesses wisdom in many things. He understands the value in difference between right and wrong, good and evil, and reason to respect others and himself. He has forbearance and control over his mental, verbal and physical actions. He is farsighted and wise in judgment. A wise person is like a big banyan tree protecting ten of thousand birds in safety during a storm. He is like a torchbearer leading the right way to safety, and a guide leading to hidden treasures. Therefore, association with him can benefit much.

The wisdom of a person is neither a birthright virtue nor an inherited quality. It has to be cultivated from learning, experience and develop an ability to use it at right time and situation for a good cause. Though learning can give knowledge and skill as education, these by themselves are not wisdom unless the right ability at using it is developed. Not every learned is wise.

Learning method is in three ways - by following the teaching instruction; by seeing/reading other’s work; by listening to someone’s talk. Facts from these processes will be assembled, cultivated and stored in memory as factual knowledge and experience. Learning could lead a person to wisdom. Wisdom of man is acquired in three ways: -
-Wisdom acquired by learning process (Sutamaya nana);
-Wisdom acquired by contemplating the facts (Cintamaya nana)
-Wisdom acquired by meditation practice (Bhavanamaya nana or Spiritual wisdom)

Many learned people have made great discoveries but those that do not benefit mankind are not regarded well as the works of the wise. Many great leaders with knowledge and experience who fail to benefit the people cannot be accepted as a worthy leader. Wisdom is a quality that belongs only to noble people and to associate with such persons can get benefits that lead to knowledge and wisdom. To associate with a wise one is blessing.