There are 2 types of right view
1. right view affected by taints, partaking of merit, ripening in the acquisitions: There is what is given and what is offered and what is sacrificed; there is fruit and result of good and bad actions; there is this world and the other world; there is mother and father; there are beings who are reborn spontaneously; there are in the world good and virtuous recluses and brahmins who have realised for themselves by direct knowledge and declare this world and the other world
2. right view that is noble, taintless, supramundane, a factor of the path: The wisdom, the faculty of wisdom, the power of wisdom, the investigation-of-states enlightenment factor, the path factor of right view in one whose mind is noble, whose mind is taintless, who possesses the noble path and is developing the noble path
quoted in Sutra 117, The Great Forty (Majjhima Nikāya)
Right View in Buddhism: Two Paths to Understanding
The passage offers a glimpse into the concept of Right View (Samma Ditthi) in Buddhism, presenting two distinct categories:
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Right View Affected by Taints: This view is colored by worldly concerns and attachments. It acknowledges basic principles of karma, rebirth, and the existence of beneficial and harmful actions. It recognizes societal structures like family and the presence of spiritual teachers. However, this understanding is still rooted in the cycle of suffering (samsara).
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Noble Right View: This view transcends worldly limitations. It represents a pure form of wisdom, free from defilements like greed, hatred, and delusion. It emphasizes the path to liberation through direct realization of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
To delve deeper into these categories, let's explore them further:
1. Right View Affected by Taints (Savada Ditthi):
This view serves as a stepping stone towards a more profound understanding. It functions within the framework of cause and effect, recognizing the consequences of actions and the existence of different realms of existence. Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:
- Gift-giving, offerings, and sacrifices: This acknowledges the importance of ethical conduct and generosity. By performing good deeds, one can accumulate merit that leads to favorable results in this life or future ones.
- Fruits of karma: Actions, both good and bad, have consequences. This understanding encourages individuals to strive for positive actions and avoid negativity.
- This world and the next: This view accepts the concept of rebirth, where one's actions determine their future existence. It highlights the impermanence of this world and the potential for a better one.
- Importance of family and spontaneous rebirth: This recognizes the fundamental role of family and acknowledges the existence of beings reborn without a clear cause (according to some Buddhist traditions).
- Presence of virtuous teachers: This emphasizes the importance of spiritual guidance from enlightened individuals who can illuminate the path to liberation.
However, this Right View is still limited. It relies on a sense of self and a desire for a better rebirth within samsara. It doesn't offer a way out of the cycle of suffering.
2. Noble Right View (Ariya Ditthi):
This view represents a fundamental shift in perspective. It's based on the direct realization of the Four Noble Truths: the truth of suffering, the cause of suffering, the end of suffering, and the path to the end of suffering. Here's what defines it:
- Wisdom and its faculties: This view emphasizes the development of Prajna (wisdom), the ability to see things as they truly are. It involves the faculties of wisdom, the power of wisdom, and the investigation-of-states enlightenment factor.
- Transcending worldly limitations: Noble Right View goes beyond the limitations of self and worldly concerns. It focuses on the impermanent nature of all phenomena and the liberation from suffering through the cessation of clinging and craving.
- Developing the Noble Path: This view is a key factor on the Eightfold Path, the path leading to liberation. It guides individuals towards ethical conduct, mental discipline, and the development of wisdom.
In essence, the difference between the two Right Views lies in their depth and liberation potential. Savada Ditthi offers a basic framework for ethical living and understanding the world, while Ariya Ditthi provides a direct path to the end of suffering.
The Gradual Path to Noble Right View:
The development of Noble Right View is a gradual process. Here's a possible progression:
- Exposure to Buddhist teachings: Encountering the Buddha's teachings plants the seeds of understanding about karma, rebirth, and the possibility of liberation.
- Ethical conduct: By practicing ethical conduct (Sila), individuals cultivate a foundation for further spiritual progress.
- Mindfulness and meditation: Through mindfulness meditation (Samatha) and insight meditation (Vipassana), individuals develop concentration and begin to see the impermanent nature of all phenomena.
- Developing wisdom: As mindfulness deepens, wisdom (Prajna) starts to arise. This allows individuals to see the arising and passing away of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations.
- Direct realization: With sustained practice, individuals may experience a direct realization of the Four Noble Truths, leading to the establishment of Noble Right View.
The Importance of Right View:
Right View is considered the "first arrow" of the Three Arrows model in Buddhism. The other two arrows are Right Intention and Right Action. Without a clear understanding of reality, it's difficult to cultivate the right intention and take the necessary actions to achieve liberation.
Conclusion:
The concept of Right View in Buddhism offers a powerful framework for understanding the world and oneself. By progressing from a view colored by worldly concerns to a view based on wisdom and liberation, individuals can embark on a
