The three studies are vinaya or discipline, samadhi or meditation,

and prajna or wisdom, all of them prerequisites in the cultivation

and learning of exit from the worldly ways.

Discipline pertains to prohibitions against evil karma generated

via body, mouth, and thought. The Buddha deems it adamant to

execute discipline in a threefold practice via, first, precepts covering

all proper conduct, second, precepts covering all virtuous ways, and

third, precepts benefiting all living beings. Conclusively, be committed

to benefiting—not hurting—self and another. In other words:

‘Commit no evil,

Practice all good,

Purify the mind,

Such is Buddhism.’

Precepts covering all proper conduct particularly denote committing

by way of competence, financial means, knowledge, and socioeconomical

clout to bring upon the needy expedience and satisfaction.

Meditation pertains to attainment of peace and quiet in mind.

Erroneous thoughts cease to arise; negative moods dissipate; the

three poisons—greed, anger, and ignorance—exist no more. Lightness

On the teaching of the sutras and peace in body and mind together with peace and quiet at heart

empower us to resolve all negative emotions and behavior.

Wisdom pertains to choice. With wisdom, virtue actualizes and evil

terminates, intelligent contemplations be amassed and cultivation

perfected, and hence ultimate wisdom—termed ultimate prajna—

be realized.

The three studies—discipline, meditation, and wisdom—pertain to

the method and goal of all Buddhist practitioners. Observance of the

precepts results in attainment of samadhi, of ultimate prajna and,

eventually, of nonleaking fruit of the Buddha Way, that is, nirvana.

Practiced together, myriad virtues are complete.