The Six Paramitas (Perfections)

[Ngawang Drolma]

The Six Paramitas

A bodhisattva practices 6 perfections (paramitas); giving, morality, patience, energy, meditation, & wisdom. Of these the greatest is giving, and the most valuable thing to give is the gift of the dharma.

The Sanskrit word paramita means to cross over to the other shore. Paramita may also be translated as perfection, perfect realization, or reaching beyond limitation. Through the practice of these six paramitas, we cross over the sea of suffering (samsara) to the shore of happiness and awakening (Nirvana); we cross over from ignorance and delusion to enlightenment. Each of the six paramitas is an enlightened quality of the heart, a glorious virtue or attribute—the innate seed of perfect realization within us. The paramitas are the very essence of our true nature. However, since these enlightened qualities of the heart have become obscured by delusion, selfishness, and other karmic tendencies, we must develop these potential qualities and bring them into expression. In this way, the six paramitas are an inner cultivation, a daily practice for wise, compassionate, loving, and enlightened living. The paramitas are the six kinds of virtuous practice required for skillfully serving the welfare of others and for the attainment of enlightenment. We must understand that bringing these virtuous qualities of our true nature into expression requires discipline, practice, and sincere cultivation. This is the path of the Bodhisattva—one who is dedicated to serving the highest welfare of all living beings with the awakened heart of unconditional love, skillful wisdom, and all-embracing compassion.

1) The Perfection of Generosity (Dana Paramita)
2) The Perfection of Ethics (Sila Paramita)
3) The Perfection of Patience (Kshanti Paramita)
4) The Perfection of Joyous Effort / Enthusiastic Perseverance (Virya Paramita)
5) The Perfection of Concentration (Dhyana Paramita)
6) The Perfection of Wisdom (Prajna Paramita)

Click the link below to read on about the six perfections in greater detail:
http://www.naljorprisondharmaservice.org/pdf/SixParamitas.htm

[muni]

Very helpful to not land in the pool of ordinarinesses. As transcendent (me you act); merit and wisdom is the fruit for all.

Thank you to ring this bell.

[Ngawang Drolma]

Dear Muni,

Yes, hardly ordinary! And not easy to live by, but so fruitful (I would imagine).

Best,
Laura

[Will]

Much has been taught about the Perfections. This large work by Nagarjuna Bodhisattva is among the most comprehensive. Here is a sample: http://www.kalavinka.com/book_excerpts/ ... _Intro.pdf

Among these free downloadable PDFs is this text on the Paramitas by Nagarjuna bodhisattva: http://ifile.it/t3aqukl

[mudra]

These six qualities are also practiced by people on other vehicles of Buddhism, and also other kinds of practitioners.

However when we attach the predicate "perfection" or "paramita" this refers to these qualities as they are cultivated exclusively on the Bodhisattva path. (in fact once we enter the bhumis, an additional 4 qualities come to perfection -
truthfulness, resolute perseverance, loving kindness, and equanimity)

What distinguishes these paramitas from the ordinary generosity etc is that the same 6 qualities are practiced together with 1.(conventional) bodhicitta 2.an awareness of shunyatta 3. dedication of all the virtue generated by them to the welfare of all living beings

Evidently they don't become true perfections until those three factors arise spontaneously in the mind, but meantime we can practice!

[muni]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J0__3Ml ... re=related

by His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa. _/\_

When Paramitas are developping and "me is not home" and "others not outside"; it will not be like giving one of my expensive Nike shoes; as the happy one will not run far, and I neither.