How to develop the Excellent Wisdom in Subhasutta

by Phramaha Anuchon Khammee (Sasanakitti) | 2017 | 58,909 words

Buddhism Theravada

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Summary: This essay studies the development of “Excellent Wisdom” in the Subhasutta, drawing data from primary Buddhist sources such as the Tipitaka Pali Canon, commentaries, interviews, and secondary sources like related books and journals. The study aims to explore the main Dhamma principles in Subha-Sutta, divisions of Excellent Wisdom (ariyapanna-khandha) in Theravada Buddhism, and methods of developing this wisdom. The Subhasutta is located in the Dighanikaya Silakhandhavagga and features the Reverend Ananda Thera explaining noble virtues to Subhamanava.

The research highlights Ariyakhandha, encompassing Ariyasila-khandha (excellent precepts), Ariyasamadhi-khandha (excellent meditation), and Ariyapanna-khandha (excellent wisdom), which are vital for achieving Asavakkhayanana, the elimination of mental defilements.

The study further investigates meditation practices, distinguishing between those led by faith (Samadhi) and intellect (Vipassana), mapping out paths to tranquillity and insight. It emphasizes integrating precepts, mental composure, and mindfulness to cultivate excellent wisdom, aiming for Nirvana. Through Samatha and Vipassana meditations, practitioners can achieve “jhana” states and eventually reach Vipassananana (insight knowledge). The thesis provides a detailed analysis of methods presented in the Subhasutta, offering insight into achieving ultimate wisdom and enlightenment, contributing to a deeper understanding of Theravada Buddhist practice.

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Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Source 1: exoticindiaart.com
Source 2: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the How to develop the Excellent Wisdom in Subhasutta in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Acknowledgement

+ Chapter 1 - Introduction

. Part 1 - Background and Important of Problem

. Part 2 - Objectives, Scope, Statement and Definition

. Part 3 - Review related documents and researches

. Part 4 - Methodology of the Study

+ Chapter 2 - Studying on the Dhamma content in Subhasutta

. Introduction to the Subha-Sutta

. Part 1 - The meaning of Subhasutta

. Part 2 - Source of Subhasutta

. Part 3 - Content of Subhasutta

. Part 4 - Dhamma Principle in Subhasutta (Introduction)

. Part 4.1 - Ariyasīlakkhandha (the supreme principles of noble precepts)

. Part 4.2 - Ariyasamādhikkhandha (the supreme principles of mind concentration)

. Part 4.3 - Ariyapaññākkhandha (the supreme principles of noble wisdom)

+ Chapter 3 - Divisions of the Excellent Wisdom in Theravada Buddhism

. Introduction (the benefits of meditation)

. Part 1 - Two Types of Meditation: Samatha and Vipassanā

. Part 2 - Samatha Bhāvanā (Serenity Meditation)—Introduction

. Part 2.1 - Samatha Bhāvanā Develovment

. Part 2.2 - Benefits of Samatha Bhāvanā

. Part 3 - Vipassanā Bhāvanā (Insight Meditation)—Introduction

. Part 3.1 - The Three Characteristics Marks and the Satta-Visuddhi

. Part 3.2 - The Four Noble Truths

. Part 3.3 - Mind as the Driving Force of Dukkha and of Rebirth

. Part 3.4 - The Noble Eightfold Path

. Part 3.5 - The concept of “One Path” (ekāyana)

. Part 3.6 - The concept of Mindfulness (sati)

. Part 3.7 - Sampajañña (clear comprehension) and Ātāpa (commitment)

. Part 3.8 - Satipaṭṭhāna (the Foundations of Mindfulness)—Introduction

. Part 3.8.1 - Contemplation of the body (kāyānupassanā)

. Part 3.8.2 - Contemplation of feeling (vedanānupassanā)

. Part 3.8.3 - Contemplation of the mind (cittānupassanā)

. Part 3.8.4 - Contemplation of dhammas (dhammānupassanā)

. Part 3.8.5 - Summary of the Contemplations

. Part 3.9 - Results and Benefits of Vipassanā meditation

. Part 4 - Differences between Samatha and Vipassanā

. Part 5 - Techniques of Four Contemporary Masters in Theravāda Tradition

. Part 5.1 - Mahāsi Sayādaw’s Vipassanā Meditation Method

. Part 5.2 - Pa-Auk Sayādaw’s Meditation Method

. Part 5.3 - S.N. Goenka’s Vipassana Meditation Method

. Part 5.4 - Ajahn Chah’s Meditation Method

. Part 5.5 - Conclusion

+ Chapter 4 - How to develop the Excellent Wisdom as appeared in Subhasutta

. Introduction—Vipassanā development

. Part 1 - Four ways how to develop Paññā

. Part 2.1 - Pāṭimokkha-saṃvara (restraint by the monastic code of discipline)

. Part 2.2 - Pure occupation or career (ājīva-pārisutthi-sīla)

. Part 2.3 - Fulfilment with the precepts (Sīla)

. Part 2.4 - Being the protector of the gates of Indriya (the sense-faculties)

. Part 2.5 - Composition of Sati-Sampajañña (Mindfulness and clear comprehension)

. Part 2.6 - Being contentment (Santuṭṭhi)

. Part 2.7 - The Nīvaraṇa desertation—Introduction

. Part 2.7.1 - Āhara and Anāhāra of 5 Nīvaraṇas

. Part 2.7.2 - The 5 Upamā Nīvaraṇas

. Part 2.7.3 - Nīvaraṇa deserting procedure

. Part 2.8.1 - Practical procedure to originate Paṭhamajhāna (the first Jhāna)

. Part 2.8.2 - Practical procedure to attain Dutiyajhāna (the second Jhāna)

. Part 2.8.3 - Practical procedure to attain Tatiyajhāna (the third Jhāna)

. Part 2.8.4 - Practical procedure to attain Catutthajhāna (the Fourth Jhāna)

. Part 3 - Types of Dhamma Attainment (Introduction)

. Part 3.1 - Cetovimutti (the purity of mind)

. Part 3.2 - Paññāvimutti (liberation with wisdom or intelligence)

. Part 4 - Wisdom development by four Satipaṭṭhānas

. Part 4.1 - Wisdom development according to Kāyānupassanā-satipaṭṭhāna

. Part 4.2 - Wisdom development according to Vedanānupassanā-satipaṭṭhāna

. Part 4.3 - Wisdom development according to Cittānupassanā-satipaṭṭhāna

. Part 4.4 - Wisdom development according to Dhammānupassanā-satipaṭṭhāna

. Part 4.5 - Emotions of Vipassanā-bhāvanā

. Part 5 - The advantages of Ariyapaññā-khandha (Excellent wisdom)

Chapter 5 - Summary of Research result and recommendations

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Last Updated: 02 January, 2026

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