Eradicating Afflictions through Meditative Concentration and Wisdom

Non-Buddhist paths also have meditative concentration (dhyāna), yet they lack the wisdom of liberation and the wisdom of the ultimate reality of the dharmadhātu. To become fully endowed with wisdom, one needs to contemplate and practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) the Four Noble Truths and the ultimate reality of the dharmadhātu through deliberation (manasikāra/manana) in accordance with the Dharma within meditative concentration; right thinking is extremely important. All meditative concentrations can subdue the manas's attachments and afflictions, but they cannot eradicate afflictions or extinguish attachments. This is because the eradication of afflictions and the complete extinction of attachments require not only meditative concentration, but even more so a fully endowed cognitive wisdom—deliberating on the truth in accordance with the Dharma and realizing the truth. In other words, only when meditative concentration and wisdom are both possessed can one eradicate afflictions and attachments, attain liberation, and accomplish the Buddha Way.