Deep Commentary

This Dhammapada verse was taught by the Buddha at Jetavana Monastery, concerning several bhikkhus. According to the story, "One day, thirty recluses from another region came to Jetavana to pay homage to the Buddha and sat to one side. Venerable Sāriputta, knowing that they had the necessary conditions to attain arahantship, approached the Buddha and asked: 'Venerable Sir, you often teach about 'the two states.' What are the two states?' The Buddha taught: 'Sāriputta, the two states are meditative concentration (samadhi) and wisdom (pañña).'" (Excerpted from Dhammapada Stories, Vol. III, p. 325). The Buddha taught: "By constantly abiding in the two dhammas, a holy man reaches the farther shore." 'Constantly abiding' means always present in the present moment. The two dhammas are meditative concentration and wisdom. The Buddha taught that practitioners must always be present with these two. To realize truth, neither can be lacking. With concentration, the mind becomes tranquil. 'Tranquil' means free from the disturbance and agitation of defilements, so the mind becomes peaceful and pure. However, mental tranquility is only the negative aspect, which alone is insufficient; practitioners also need the positive aspect, which is wisdom. Through wisdom, we can benefit beings. Without wisdom constantly shining, a practitioner might fall into the fixed nature of a hearer (sravaka). Therefore, in Buddhism, concentration and wisdom must go together, like two wings of a bird or two wheels of a cart. With two wings, the bird can fly far—far to the shore of liberation, which is Nibbana. Hence the Buddha said: "Whatever fetters there are, wisdom completely cuts them off." Wisdom is the direction that leads practitioners to the shore of complete freedom and liberation.