In Mahayana Buddhism, the bodhisattva practices the six paramitas, or transcendent perfections. These are a path to enlightenment, the fruition of the bodhisattva way, and a means to benefit sentient beings. They are transcendent because the subject, object, and practice of the perfections are all free of self, which is known as the threefold purity.
1. Generosity (dana)
You give without expecting anything in return, the essence of nonattachment.
2. Discipline (sila)
You joyfully practice the dharma in everything you do.
3. Patience (ksanti)
You are free of aggression and maintain your equilibrium in the midst of samara’s confusion.
4. Exertion (virya)
You work hard because you delight in the path and appreciate virtue. Overcoming laziness, you never give up.
5. Meditation (dhyana)
Body and mind synchronized, you cut distraction and tame your mind with one-pointed mindfulness.
6. Wisdom (prajna)
You develop the “superior know-ledge” of both ultimate reality (shunyata, emptiness) and relative phenomena. As prajna cuts through mistaken beliefs about reality, compassion naturally arises.
You don’t have to be perfect to practice the perfections. Because each of the paramitas is the antidote to a particular obstacle—generosity overcomes stinginess, etc.—you can practice them now as the step-by-step path to your own bodhisattvahood.
THANK YOU FOR READING LION’S ROAR. CAN WE ASK FOR YOUR HELP?
At Lion’s Roar, our mission is to communicate Buddhist wisdom in today’s world. The connections we share with you — our readers — are what drive us to fulfill this mission.
Today, we’re asking you to make a further connection with Lion’s Roar. Can you help us with a donation today?
As an independent nonprofit committed to sharing Buddhist wisdom in all its diversity and breadth, Lion’s Roar depends on the support of readers like you. If you have felt the benefit of Buddhist practice and wisdom in your own life, please support our work so that many others can benefit, too.
Please donate today — your support makes all the difference.
Lion’s Roar is a registered charity in the US and Canada. All US & Canadian donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
