The Six Paramitas and the Bodhisattva Path

By Chang Jie
02/22/2009

On Sunday, February 22, 2009, Dr. David Slaymaker gave a dharma talk on "The Six Paramitas and the Bodhisattva Path" based on the teachings of Venerable Yin-shun's, The Way to Buddhahood: Instructions from a Modern Chinese Master and Master Sheng Yenís booklet, The Six Paramitas.

"Paramita" is a Sanskrit word which means "attaining the other shore", "transcendence", or "perfection". The six paramitas are giving, precepts, patience, diligence, meditation and wisdom. According to Venerable Yin-shun, there are three gates to this practiceóto generate bodhimind, to act with kindness and compassion, and to cultivate wisdom.

There are 3 levels of generosityógiving for the sake of one's own worldly gain or benefit, giving for one's own liberation, and the bodhisattvaís way of giving for the benefit of all sentient beings. We can give wealth, which includes ones skills, knowledge, energy, the dharma (which may be in the form of non-Buddhist terms), and fearlessness, which can mean appreciating someone for who they are or by listening to them.

Precepts mean conducting oneself according to Buddhist precepts. All precepts are encompassed by the 3 cumulative pure precepts, which are:

1. 1. refraining from all harm

2. 2. cultivating all that is beneficial

3. 3. benefiting all sentient beings

Patience means understanding and empathy. We can be patient with those who wish to harm us, the environment (which includes our bodies, our mental habits, and aging), and in cultivating the dharma.

Diligence is maintaining mindfulness of practice as best we can, moment by moment, and thinking about how we can be of benefit to others. The dharma does not work itself but we have to work the dharma, making constant, gentle effort.

Meditation is cultivating a calm, clear and concentrated mind that is in the present moment. When the mind is scattered and excited; the mind is weak and it is difficult to resist habits and see clearly in order to benefit others. When the mind is scattered, we make mistakes and create suffering. When the mind is clear and concentrated, one has energy and clarity to see the mind, and remember and apply the dharma. Meditation does not mean just sitting meditation, but includes all activities when done with concentrated mind.

Wisdom is seeing emptiness of all things. This means recognizing that suffering is inherent in the world and seeing self and others as one. The practice of the paramitas must be embodied in wisdom. Wisdom can be brought into our practice in two ways--by 1) study, practice, and contemplation, and 2) meditation.

Reference:
Master Sheng Yen, The Six Paramitas (free booklet available at CMC)
Venerable Yin-shun, The Way to Buddhahood: Instructions from a Modern Chinese Master