Illustration by Ray Fenwick.
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. Now can we ask for your help?
Lion’s Roar is a nonprofit. Our mission is to share the wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings—to inspire, comfort, support, and enlighten readers around the world. Our aspiration is to keep LionsRoar.com available to everyone, providing a supportive, inspiring Buddhist community that anyone can access, from curious beginners to committed meditators. Do you share our aspiration? We can’t do this without your help.
Lion’s Roar reaches more readers like you than ever before. Unfortunately, advertising and other revenues are falling for print and online media. We know we have something deeply precious to share with the world, and we want to continue this important work. Can you help support our efforts now?
Lion’s Roar is independent, unbiased, not-for-profit, and supported by readers like you. Please donate today and help the lion’s roar echo for readers around the world.
