Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong
Ven. Sumana
Ph.D. candidate
Centre of Buddhist Studies
The University of Hong Kong
Ven. Sumana is a PhD student at the Centre of Buddhist Studies, the University of Hong Kong. His PhD project focuses on the critical study of kṣānti pāramitā in Theravāda and Mahāyāna traditions. He received his monastic education at Vidyalankara Pirivena in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He earned his BA degree from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka with First-Class honours.
Attaining the acceptance of truth (kṣānti) through the three kinds of knowledge and its modern-day application.
(The paper will be co-presented by Ven. Sik Hin Hung, Dr. Bonnie W. Y. Wu, and Ven. Sumana.)
According to early Buddhist text, to attain the truth (saccānupatti) there are 14 gradual steps which can be summarized into the three kinds of knowledge, the knowledge of learning, thinking and cultivation. Among these fourteen steps, step number eight, ‘reflective acceptance of Dhamma (dhammanijjhānakkhanti)’ is of great significance. In this presentation, the importance of ‘reflective acceptance’ and the Mahayana teaching of the three acceptances (kṣānti-s) will be discussed. Furthermore, how the three kinds of knowledge and ‘reflective acceptance’ can contribute toward the development of modern day psychosocial intervention will also be presented.