The Six Paramitas - Kṣanti Paramitas (3/6)

 

Paramita means perfection the noblest, most excellent, highest qualities. 

It symbolises the crossing from the shore of confusion and suffering to the shore of liberation and enlightenment. It groups the six actions to be performed to reach a state of realisation.

The six paramitas, or transcendent perfections, are an essential concept in the practice of Mahayana Buddhism. They are so fundamental, in fact, that the “Vehicle of the Perfections” is a synonym for Mahayana itself. The Pali or Theravada tradition also includes perfections, referred to as paramis, but a discussion of these is out of the scope of this article.

“If we want to obtain enlightenment by becoming a Bodhisattva, it is necessary to actualize wisdom and compassion. This is done through the practice of what are called the six paramitas, or 'transcendental actions.' 

What are the six Paramitas of Buddhism?

The six are generally translated as: 

1. Generosity, 
2. Discipline, 
3. Patience, 
4. Diligence, 
5. Meditative concentration,  
6. Wisdom.   

Some lists enumerate ten paramitas, the last four of which are aspects of the wisdom paramita and are skillful means, strength, aspiration, and primordial wisdom. These align with the ten stages of the Bodhisattva path. 

It symbolises the crossing from the shore of confusion and suffering to the shore of liberation and enlightenment. It groups the six actions to be performed to reach a state of realisation.

The six paramitas, or transcendent perfections, are an essential concept in the practice of Mahayana Buddhism. They are so fundamental, in fact, that the “Vehicle of the Perfections” is a synonym for Mahayana itself. The Pali or Theravada tradition also includes perfections, referred to as paramis, but a discussion of these is out of the scope of this article.

“If we want to obtain enlightenment by becoming a Bodhisattva, it is necessary to actualize wisdom and compassion. This is done through the practice of what are called the six paramitas, or 'transcendental actions.'  

Para in Sanskrit literally means the 'other shore.' Here, it means going beyond our own notion of the self. From the Buddhist point of view in general and from the Mahayana point of view in particular, if we want to progress properly on the path, we need to go beyond our conventional understanding of the self. 

When we say that paramita means 'transcendental action,' we mean it in the sense that actions or attitudes are performed in a non-egocentric manner. 'Transcendental' does not refer to some external reality but rather to the way in which we conduct our lives and perceive the world—either in an egocentric or a non-egocentric way. The six paramitas are concerned with the effort to step out of the egocentric mentality.”

What are the six paramitas in Buddhism? The six perfections are : 

1) Generosity (Dana)  - Perfection of Generosity is about more than just charitable giving. It is generosity as an expression of selflessness and an acknowledgment that we all coexist with each other. Without attaching to possessions or to ourselves, we live to benefit all beings.  

Perfection of Generosity, the first of the six paramitas, is defined as an attitude of giving. Generosity is divided into :

• material giving,
• giving the Dharma, and
• giving protection from fear.

You should practice these three kinds of generosity according to your capacity. At the very least, you should offer sur (burnt offerings) and water tormas, since this offering incorporates all three kinds of giving. 

2) Ethical Self-Discipline (Sila) - Ethical self-discipline is where we refrain from destructive behaviour by realising its disadvantages. Its benefits are:

• It enables us to avoid all of the problems that arise from acting, speaking, and thinking harmfully. It creates a basis of trust with others, which is the foundation for true friendship.
• It helps us to overcome our compulsive negative behaviour and develop self-control, leading to a calmer, more stable mind.

It prevents us from hurting others. 

3) Patience (Ksanti) - Patience, the third of the six paramitas, is defined as the ability not to be perturbed by anything. It is the subject of the sixth *Bodhicharyavatara.

* Bodhicharyavatara An Introduction to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life is Shantideva's classic guide to the Mahayana path.  Tsoknyi Rinpoche said:

The Bodhicharyavatara teaches the complete Mahayana path to enlightenment, including all necessary preliminary, main, and concluding practices. A perfect path in itself, it is also, at the same time, a perfect support for all practitioners of the Vajrayana teachings in general. Practitioners learn how to develop the motivation of Bodhichitta as well as how to carry out the application of the six paramitas, or transcendental perfections. They learn how to fuse their practice of bodhichitta and the five first perfections with the sixth perfection, wisdom.

Opportunity for patience - "Patience consists of being patient when wronged, having the patience to bear hardships for the Dharma, and having the patience to bear the profound truth without fear."

"There are various situations that require our patience, beginning with the following four:

• When someone treats us with contempt,
• Addresses us with harsh words,
• Slanders us behind our backs,

Or causes us pain. 

And similarly, when these four are done to our teachers or our friends and relatives,

Or:

• When our enemies and those who oppose us find pleasure and wellbeing,
• When they receive honours and rewards,
• When they are offered praise,
• Or when people speak well of them.

In addition, there are also those situations in which their opposites, the twelve desirable circumstances, are prevented from occurring, making a total of twenty-four opportunities for us to practice patience.

When any of these occur, we must avoid becoming disheartened by the events themselves or the suffering they bring and instead accept the suffering. We must not become angry with those involved, but disregard the harm they do to us and settle the mind in meditation upon the reality of profound emptiness.

In this way, by multiplying each instance a further three times, we arrive at seventy-two types of patience in which to train." 

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Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

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