By Lewis Gwilt
A Bodhisattva must achieve mastery over many phenomena to free beings from their suffering. When a Bodhisattva has mastered something, they have achieved its perfection. There are six things which a Bodhisattva must perfect to skilfully free others – known as the six perfections. These are: generosity, morality, patience, determination, meditation and wisdom. Here we explore the six perfections and why they are essential for a Bodhisattva to master.
Generosity (dana)
Generosity is defined as any selfless act, whether it is gifting to someone, helping them in a difficult time or sharing the Dharma with them. True generosity is giving without seeking something in return. It means acting without attachment to the outcome and without selfishness.
For a Bodhisattva to perform generous acts, they must act free from afflictions or false views which hinder selflessness. By thinking about others and practising generosity, selfish views and impulses are remedied.
Morality (shila)
The practice of generosity serves as the basis for morality – non-harmful thoughts and actions. Even though we may have good intentions to help in other’s suffering, we will not be skilful in doing so unless we give up harmful thoughts and actions which make us and other beings suffer.
By thinking and acting in a way conducive to alleviating suffering, a Bodhisattva practises morality. Its perfection is the complete absence of harmful thoughts and actions.
Patience (kshanti)
Morality forms the foundation for developing patience. Patience is the strength of mind enabling us to face any situation, no matter how difficult, without losing our inner peace. Through developing morality, we are able to control our delusions so that we maintain peace and tranquillity in our lives and being of service to others.
Being generous, moral and patient cultivates discipline. The perfection of patience means a Bodhisattva is never frustrated or unkind in helping other beings, enabling them act skilfully, with control and discipline.
Determination (virya)
Determination is only possible through the perfection of patience. Without the strength of patience, we will not be able to maintain enthusiasm in helping others. The practice of patience allows a Bodhisattva to develop determination. It is a deepening of mental discipline which reflects the perfection of generosity, thinking and acting morally, and being patient. The perfection of determination means a Bodhisattva is fully committed to freeing other beings from suffering.
Meditation (dhyana)
Meditation is having a single-pointed mind which remains undistracted. To cultivate meditation, we need determination. It is called single-pointed because it is an unbroken stream of concentration on whichever object we are focusing on. Patience and determination are prerequisites for meditation.
The perfection of meditation allows a Bodhisattva to have a still mind amidst their daily duties and activities, essential for helping other beings. If we do not have the necessary focus and concentration to remain determined, we cannot act skilfully, no matter how sincere our wish to free others from their suffering.
Wisdom (prajna)
Finally, wisdom is the clear state of mind which penetrates into the truth of the object of our focus. With a still mind, we are able to truly see the way things are, without distortion or false views. The perfection of wisdom leads to the effortless performance of generosity, morality, patience, determination and meditation at all times, no matter the situation.
This allows a Bodhisattva to skilfully act to free all beings from their suffering because they have the wisdom of causes and prolongs it. Therefore, it is the most important perfection as it is only with its achievement that a Bodhisattva is capable of releasing beings from their suffering.
What makes them essential for the Bodhisattva path?
For Bodhisattvas to succeed in freeing all beings, they must be well-equipped – what is known as upaya or ‘skilful means’. The six perfections are the tools necessary to be skilful or successful in liberating others. Without generosity, morality, patience, determination, meditation and wisdom, it is not possible for us to selflessly be devoted to others’ liberation or share the Dharma for how to achieve it.
The six perfections give us the tools to be compassionate to all beings, at all times, free from harming them or ourselves. Having perfected them, a Bodhisattva always embodies them, even in a single act of generosity.
If we are able to be sincerely and truly generous, we can release not only ourselves, but others, seeing that there is no distinction between us. By always remembering and knowing this, we will cause no harm to each other, be moral in our thoughts and actions, and have compassion and kindness for all beings.
