Definition: Paṇḍita denotes the one whose discernment is receptive and operative — one who grasps the teaching swiftly (Dhp 65), sees the two paths as different (Dhp 75), and does not mistake their own fool-state for wisdom (Dhp 63). It is a soteriological rank, paired with bala as its structural opposite.
Canonical usage
Dhp 63 (dhp63:3–63:4)
Bālo ca paṇḍitamānī, sa ve "bālo"ti vuccati.
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English (Sujato): But the true fool is said to be one who imagines that they are wise.
Dhp 65 (dhp65:3–65:4)
Khippaṁ dhammaṁ vijānāti, jivhā sūparasaṁ yathā.
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English (Sujato): [A sensible person…] swiftly understands the teaching, as the tongue knows the taste of soup.
Dhp 258 (dhp258:1, dhp258:4) (cited; not yet ingested)
Na tena paṇḍito hoti / "paṇḍito"ti pavuccati.
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English (Sujato, paraphrased): One is not called wise merely because one speaks much — the peaceful, kind, and fearless one is called wise.
Nuances and translation notes
- Sujato: "astute" / "clever" / "wise" — varies by register
- Buddharakkhita: "wise"
- Norman (PTS): "wise"
- de Zoysa (Sinhala): පණ්ඩිත — direct cognate
Paṇḍita overlaps with viññū ("discerning"; Dhp 65) and dhīra ("sage, firm one"; Dhp 23) but is not identical — paṇḍita especially emphasises correct self-assessment (Dhp 63) and the capacity to act on discernment.
Related concepts
- bala — the paired antonym
- fool and wise bala pandita — concept page
- panna — wisdom; the faculty the paṇḍita has cultivated
- vinnu — "discerning one"; near-synonym at Dhp 65 (pending)
- ariya — "noble one"; the soteriological class the paṇḍita at the highest grade enters (pending)
Related pages
- fool and wise bala pandita — concept page
- dhammapada 05 balavagga
- dhammapada 02 appamadavagga — Dhp 22, 28