Six Advanced Paramitas.

There are six aspects that help us on our journey: they are called the six paramitas – generosity, discipline, patience, perseverance, meditation and transcendent knowledge. When we first look at them, they sound straightforward enough. They are practised with effort, but, as in all teachings, there are deeper meanings, or more refined meanings. These are practised without effort!

I try not to use strange words, but the expression ‘pure awareness’ or ‘pure perception’ is called Rigpa in Tibetan, and Vidya in Sanskrit. In Tibetan, one word can have many meanings, so it all depends on the context in which the word is used. This is why teachings need a commentary…and quite often we need a commentary on the commentary! Then, we have to engage in our own reflection and analysis.

It is important to remember that the experience is beyond the words. Tibetan was created from the Sanskrit language and is based on spirituality, and it is therefore difficult sometimes to find an equivalent English word (goodness knows what texting will do to the language of future generations!).

Once we have a glimpse of pure awareness (Rigpa), the continuity of that is conduct. Conduct is the practice while the mind is in rigpa, and also in everyday life

The six advanced paramitas.

These six paramitas (generosity, discipline, patience, perseverance, meditation and knowledge)  are included in Rigpa/pure awareness.

 Rigpa Generosity.                                                                                                                                                                        Generosity here is non-fixating and so there is no clinging. Non-fixation is the practice of generosity. Rigpa generosity is not the generosity of giving away, which is the conceptual generation of merit: when it is included in Rigpa, it belongs to wisdom – it is transcendent generosity. So we are practising generosity at the relative level and the absolute level at the same time, as they are inseparable. The essence of generosity is non-clinging.

Rigpa Discipline.                                                                                                                                                                                        In Rigpa, there is no attachment, and that is the paramita of discipline. In keeping discipline, one may become conceited and attached. Discipline has the function of binding your negative actions so that you can remain in a virtuous state. But it has side effects – you can become conceited because you are so pure…this can result in the creation of a social “I”. This can also happen with the view – one can become attached to this view also. The essence of discipline is non-attachment.

Rigpa Patience.                                                                                                                                        While you are in the continuity of rigpa there is no fear, and that absence of fear denotes the paramita of patience. The essence of patience is fearlessness.

 Rigpa Perseverance.                                                                                                                                        In rigpa there is no effort, and so therefore there is no perseverance. When you are distracted you make effort. The essence of perseverance is effortlessness.

 Rigpa Meditation.                                                                                                                                                                                    This is not being distracted. The essence of meditation is effortless remaining.

 Rigpa Transcendent Knowledge.                                                                                                                                                  This is Rigpa. It is wisdom itself – pure awareness. Wisdom resting in the ground in its innateness. The essence of Rigpa is clear view.

Within Rigpa, conduct is meditation in action- the six paramitas. Our mind does not leave the clear view. Conduct is the 6 paramitas being automatically expressed, without effort. You will be naturally generous etc.

To summarise, there are the paramitas that are practised with effort, and those that are practised without effort, and which come automatically out of the view (known as the all-sufficient king).

It is like a healing coming from within: if we are doing something wrong, when Rigpa is remembered, it will have an effect on our outer behaviour = CONDUCT!