The Six Paramitas: A beneficial weapon against afflictions, dismantling self-attachment and self-love, and establishing new ways of think

The Sanskrit word 'paramita' means 'having reached the other shore'. It also means "transcendence' or 'perfection'. If we are now on the shore of suffering, reaching the other shore would mean leaving suffering behind and becoming enlightened. Hence, transcendence means to be free from mental afflictions, which are the causes of suffering, and from suffering itself. The true practice of the paramitas is to be free from self-attachment and self-cherishing. According to this principle, all Buddhist practices can be viewed as paramitas.

What then are the Six Paramitas? They are generosity (dana), morality (sila), patience (ksanti), diligence (virya), meditation (dhyana), and wisdom (prajna). Their purpose is to eradicate self-attachment, and to transcend the ocean of suffering.

Master Sheng Yen eloquently explains the meaning of the Six Perfections and how to practice them, as well as the differences between Mahayana and Hinayana practices in daily life. He also delves into breaking the attachment to the self, contemplation on emptiness, and the levels of meditation. The Mahayana meditation does not cling to life and death, nor does it fear them, embodying the spirit of compassion by returning to the world to help sentient beings. This article, written in clear and accessible language, serves as a simple gateway for understanding Buddhist teachings.