Discerning as against Logical Reasoning in understanding Buddha Dhamma
It is said that the dhamma preached by the Buddha is athakkavacara, meaning beyond the scope of logic. Through logical reasoning one finds that he (or she) is right; Through discernment ( vicakshana ) one finds that he is wrong! Buddha Dhamma is about discerning ( vicakshana ) and not about logical reasoning ( t arka ). Discerning and logical reasoning are two different things which contradict each other. We need to understand that first, i.e., what logic is and what discerning is. Discerning (of the dhamma) awaken yonisomanasikara known as the wise attention or more precisely, radical attention. Few other Pali terms with similar meanings are upa parikshanaya , parivimansana and patikucca vinita. "Why would logical reasoning become important? Isn't it to affirm that 'I' know what is right and to reaffirm that that 'I' am right? " Logical reasoning relies upon sadda (faith) ruci (p...