Generosity -- Give the Most from the Heart

              In the last lesson, we learned that the Six Paramitas are Generosity, Accountability, Patience, Effort, Contemplation, and Wisdom. To review, the word paramita means virtue in ancient Sanskrit. These virtues act as bridges toward obtaining absolute happiness.

                But since there are so many kinds of good deeds, we may get lost and then not end up doing any. For this reason, Shakyamuni Buddha condensed all the good deeds we can possibly do into six categories of virtues. Buddha taught us to do any one of them or even two or more if we’re able to.

               In this post, we will learn about the first paramita of Generosity.

Original Photo by Ed Yourdon available on Flickr.com

               This simply means having a charitable mindset toward others but also acting on it. We found out last time the big idea behind Buddhism is for each of us to stop doing evil and to do more good. Being generous toward others is an easy and kind way for us to do this.

Shared Word Art by Celestine Chua available on Flickr.com

               There are two kinds of giving:  Giving Materials or Money and Giving the Teachings of Buddhism. Here we will focus on the first category, Giving Materials or Money. This means helping people and making them happy by giving them something they need. Shakyamuni Buddha taught us that this is a really good thing for us to do for others.

                    However, it's important to note that the real value of giving does not depend on the amount of money or materials. It is all about the intention behind the giving. Let’s get more insight from this historical Buddhist short story.

***

                 Once upon a time there was a poor woman called Nanda. One day she went to listen to Buddha deliver a sermon. The hall was brightly lit with oil lamps that people from all over town had brought as offerings.

Original Photo by Geoff Stearns available on Flickr.com

                 "Oh, how I wish that I could offer a lamp, but I could never get even close as poor as I am," she pondered. "Hmmm... but there has has to be at least something I can do."

                 Nanda was filled with resolve but the high price of oil was a hefty challenge. 

                 Nanda's hair was beautiful, long, and shiny. She decided to sell it in order to raise funds. A compassionate person was willing to buy her locks of hair for a petty amount of money.

                 With this small windfall, she went straight to an oil seller and asked to buy the oil needed for one lamp.

                  “Let me get this straight, you want to buy oil enough for an entire lamp?” the merchant said sheepishly. “Don’t waste my time. Look at this change. It just isn’t enough.”

                  But she begged and pleaded, “Please give me some amount of oil! Anything, please I beg you.”

                  The merchant’s heart began to soften, “Sister, tell me the truth. Why would you want that much oil anyway? You’re poor. I can tell by looking at your clothes made out of rags. You’ve got much better ways to spend this money. Why not save up for a coat or more food for your family?”

                 Then Nanda shared with him the reason she needed the oil. It was so she could offer a lamp to light the hall for the noble Shakyamuni Buddha and his teachings.

                  "A coat may warm me through cold nights, and more food may help me and my family endure a few more days. But the lectures of Shakyamuni Buddha are timeless and help me understand about the crucial matter of my afterlife."

                 "I see. So this is to make an offering?" the merchant thought for a moment and looked upon her compassionately. "Well, in that case I’ll give you a special discount this time."

                 Nanda was overjoyed, "Oh thank you, kind sir! Thank you so much!"

                 It was just one little light among many, but it was the very best that Nanda could offer. Of all the thousand lamps, hers burned the brightest. The other lamps lasted through the night, but in the morning they all had fizzled out. Only Nanda’s kept right on shining.

Original Photo by +rex available on Flickr.com

                  Buddha’s disciple Maudgalyayana tried to put it out, but the wick seemed to keep on relighting. He went to the Buddha to find some kind of an explanation.

                  "What could be the meaning of this, Buddha?"

                   "You lack the power to extinguish the source of that lamp's light," The Buddha began. "You might even pour the waters of the seven seas on that flame, but it would still burn on."

***

                   This sincere donation was all because of the charitable mindset of a poor woman named Nanda. Even suffering from her own miserable poverty, she managed to offer her very best. This story gives to the saying, "One light from a poor person outshines the glow of a rich man’s 10,000 lights."

                    The merit of a gift doesn't depend on its amount. The true abundance of a gift comes from when it is given from all the heart.

                    So let’s open up our hearts and be generous to others. We must also be just as resourceful as Nanda was. Sharing what you have will not only bring its own rewards, but it will continue to shine brightly for you and help light the way through the night. 

                    Here is another historical Buddhist story. This time it is about a rich man who greatly wanted to build a center of Buddhism, but faced tremendous obstacles in order to have it built. 

***

                    During the time of the Buddha, a man by the name of Anathapindika had become delighted listening to the teachings. He greatly wished to build a monastery and so went out on a search to find the perfect spot.

                     He searched long and hard, but it wasn't long before he stumbled upon a beautiful stretch of forest. It was not too far away from the city, but at the same time it wasn't too close to the center of town to be too hectic. It was a beautiful stretch of land with plenty of nature, and there was no sign of any wild beasts or poisonous snakes. 

 

Original Photo by Scott Wylie available on Flickr.com

                    Upon investigating who owned the land, he discovered that it belonged to King Pasenadi's son, Prince Jeta. Anathapindika scurried over to pay him a visit.

                    "You what?" Prince Jeta shouted. "You want to buy my most prized land?"

                     "Yes, your highness" replied Anathapindika. "To build a monastery where people can hear the Buddha preach."

                     "No, no, and no. I do admire your cause, but I'm sorry. It is simply out of the question. That precious land is simply not for sale."

                      "Please, reconsider..." he begged, overflowing with emotion. "Your highness!! This would be to help spread the wondrous teachings of Buddha."

                       Prince Jeta replied coolly, "Tears and even your philosophical reasoning won't move me even an inch."

                        "YOUR HIGHNESS PLEASE!!! But you must understand...!!!"

                         "Threats won't budge me either. Have you forgotten exactly who it is that I am? Why not just find some other land? There are plenty of others to choose from."

                        "Because this land is perfect, sire! Surely someone as astute and knowledgeable would easily see the benefit that this could provide..."

                         "Your charm and praise, though greatly appreciated, won't work either I'm afraid. Please leave my sight at once. That is all." 

                         "But your majesty, I'll do anything!"

                          At these words, Prince Jeta became intrigued by Anathapindika's persistence. 

                           "All right, all right, all right. Settle down or else I will charge you and your behavior as defiance to the crown!" Prince Jeta said waving his finger authoritatively. "If you really want that land so badly, Anathapindika, I'll give it to you. But you first must cover the entirety of the region that you desire for this temple -- in gold coins! I'll agree to trade you all the land you want in exchange for the gold that you rest upon every square inch of soil."

                          Anathapindika's face took on a puzzled expression for a moment but then lit up with a smile from ear to ear. "Oh, thank you, Prince Jeta! THANK YOU, YOUR MAJESTY! I'll begin work on it right away, sire--"

                           "Hey, you know I was really kind of kidding, don't you?" but before Prince Jeta could say another word Anathapindika made haste out of the castle. "Hah! I guess I'll let him try," he said looking over at one of his attendants. "But still he'll never come up with that kind of money. It's impossible."

                            Anathapindika began calculating all of his assets and found creative ways to stretch his budget. 

Original Photo by Jeff Belmonte available on Flickr.com

                              He might just be able to cover the amount of gold needed, but he realized that by including the donations of others it would deepen the bond others have with Buddhism. So he posted signs all over the city asking for donations of any kind to help build, furnish, and supply the monastery. People all over the city began to donate materials and money.

                            After observing the villagers carrying various items of value away from the city, Prince Jeta ordered one of his attendants to investigate Anathapindika's activities. The attendant quickly returned back to Prince Jeta with a look of complete bewilderment.

                              "Your majesty," said the attendant in a daze. "That man you received the other day, Anathapindika... well, he is now in the process of spreading gold over your lands at this very moment. I've seen him with my own eyes spreading the gold coins himself. Many of the villagers are even leaving donations for the new temple."

                               Prince Jeta couldn't believe it. He mounted his horse and rode over to his forest. Sure enough, Anathapindika was at the halfway point spreading gold coins over the land.

                                 "Wait. Stop right there!!" Prince Jeta shouted. Anathapindika stopped to look at the prince. All the villagers turned their eyes toward the prince as well. The prince scanned his land covered in gold and observed all the donations from the villagers. His facial expression slowly became softer.  

                                   "Your determination and regard for Buddhism amazes me," said the prince. "Let me contribute the other remaining half of the land as an act of charity to this grand new temple."

                                  And so Prince Jeta and Anathapindata built together what was to become the famous Jetavana Monastery.

Original Photo by Photo Dharma available on Flickr.com

***

                                  But some still might hear this story and think to themselves, "Well, I'm not able to give anything as great as Anathapindika. I'm flat broke. Since I have next to nothing to give, I can't offer anything. And since I can't give like you say, it seems like I'll stay in bad shape."

                                   Again -- what matters most in giving is what's in the heart. Having a heart that wishes to give and share is what is most precious. Even if you have nothing you can give, you can still give many gifts that come from the heart. 

In fact, Buddhism teaches there are 7 Ways of Giving for Free.

1.) The Gift of a Warm, Friendly Look --  Welcoming people with your eyes can be a tremendous gift you can give to anyone for free. It lifts the spirits of those around you and gives comfort to people who may be feeling down. It has been said that eyes are the window to the soul, so show the world a soothing radiance with each glance.

Original Photo by Ehsan Khakbaz H. available on Flickr.com

2.) The Gift of a Soothing Expression -- Smiling is another way to share with others a peaceful, easy feeling. Greeting others you meet with that first smile is something truly wonderful to receive and can be done at no cost. When someone gives you a heartfelt smile, it can often ease your suffering and melt away all life's little troubles for a while. It makes you and the other person feel joyful in unison! A little grin can even calm people down, and it promotes harmony. Everyone else will start to get along better and smile by following your example. Instructions to smile: simply pull each corner of your mouth toward your ears and put your teeth on display! Don't be shy!

Original Photo by Jesse Barker available on Flickr.com

3.) The Gift of Gentle Words -- Say nice things to people. Give up using sarcasm if possible. It's such a rare blessing to hear words from someone who is speaking from the heart. Whenever we hear someone genuinely sharing warmth, it makes us feel really happy inside. Listen to others and take a sincere interest in their well-being. Offer uplifting support when you reply. 

Shared Word Art by BK available on Flickr.com

4.) The Gift of Help through One's Effort -- This means really getting down to work by doing physical labor for a friend, a charity, or for society. Use your muscle and get your cardio by lending a helping hand to someone in need. It could be lending a hand during someone's move, opening a door for someone, or picking up something that someone has dropped on the floor. 


 

Original Photo by Feed My Starving Children available on Flickr.com

5.) The Gift of Gratitude from the Heart -- This is saying thanks to someone and really meaning it. Not just "Thanks," but "Thank you very much!!" said with gusto and real enthusiasm. Gratitude is a very powerful force. It's contagious and capable of doing very great things for this world.   

Shared Word Art by BK available on Flickr.com

6.) The Gift of Giving Up Your Spot -- In our lives, we assume various positions and hold onto various entitlements. Giving up your Spot means letting someone else have that treasured parking space. Just be patient and give others the right of way at an intersection rather than speeding ahead. Offer the last seat on the bus or train especially to the elderly or disabled. You can yield your spot as chairman of the board as you retire, or even resist the temptation of your last bite to share it instead. It's not only about giving up your seat; it's about thinking of others first before thinking of yourself. 

Original Photo by isa available on Flickr.com

7.) The Gift of Sharing a Meal and Offering a Night's Stay -- This means to offer someone in the middle of a difficult journey in life a meal and a place to spend the night. When another is in a time of great twists and turns along their path, this can be a very precious, comforting gift. Most of us have a little bit extra in the fridge and how better to use it than to help out a friend in need. So clear off the couch and freshen the linens in the extra bedroom!

Shared Word Art by BK available on Flickr.com

                      These are all things we can do anywhere and at any time and without any cost to us. All we have to do is try it and it is sure to work! These efforts we do for others are rewarding to us because of the Law of Cause and Effect.

Good deeds bring good results.

Bad deeds bring bad results.

Your own deeds bring your own results.

                        Our actions are what decide our fate. That's why it's so important to do as much good as we can for others all the time. We can only benefit from it!

Original Word Art by Celestia Chua available on Flickr.com

                        So let's go out there and use kind words and avoid all that negativity, criticism, and insulting language. Instead be nurturing, considerate and caring with your friends and family. Try to focus on giving from your heart as well as smiling a little bit more throughout life. 

                        In the next post, we will learn the importance of who we should give our best effort to. Just as important as it is to plant good seeds, it is also important to know the best place to maximize our efforts. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The translation of Śākyamuni has many different spellings. Up to this point, Sakyamuni has been used, which was the phonetic translation without accent symbols. In order to come closer to the original sound, Shakyamuni will now be used. Both forms are still acceptable, but this alternate spelling is preferred. Soon past posts will all be updated to reflect this change.

Six Paramitas - Why It's So Important to Do Good

Original Photo by United Way of Massachusetts & Merrimack Valley available on Flickr.com

               Everybody knows (or should know) that giving is rewarding. It fills us with a sense of pride as we see our happiness become doubled within the hearts of others. 

                But when life starts to feel more and more like hell, the idea of doing good for someone else suddenly becomes further and further away in on our minds. 

                "Things can only get worse for me now," we say to ourselves. "I do have to take care of myself after all. Why should I be the one to help them out? I'm the one who needs help. Come on, if life is going to be so cruel like this to me, why should I bother helping other people? They should be helping me. Anyway, it doesn't matter. I might as well just give up since it seems like my whole life is already ruined."

               When we lose our strength and get tired of carrying that heavy burden, we can start to blame the world for what it's done to us and want everybody to just leave us alone. We can't understand why such bad things we didn't deserve seem to only happen to us.

                 Yet if we really, really want to have a positive change for the better in our lives, we first have to recognize that we are the ones who have to make that change. We ourselves need to make the effort toward bringing that change about. We can't just bury our heads in the sand and expect things to magically improve.

Original Photo by Peter available on Flickr.com

                 If it's too hot outside, we have to cool ourselves down by getting a cold glass of water. If we're getting out of shape, we need to exercise at the gym or go out on a walk everyday. If we're not meeting our deadlines at work, we need to put in some overtime or to reorganize our projects more efficiently. If we're struggling at school, we need to sacrifice our weekends to do homework or to seek the aid of a good tutor. These examples show how cause and effect are linked. We make the change we want to bring about with our own day-to-day choices.

              The foundation of Buddhist teachings is the Law of Cause and Effect. According to Buddhism, the following three lines which are written in the sutras represent universal truth, applicable at all times and at all places.

Good deeds bring good results. 

Bad deeds bring bad results. 

Your own deeds bring your own results. 

     

                    This means waiting around aimlessly for something good to happen does not make what we want to happen come about any sooner. Only using the power of intention to wish what we want to come true will not work well for us either. If we want good results to actually manifest in our lives, we of course have to think it, but then we have to get up, get out there, and get working toward doing that good.

Original Photo by Evan Courtney available on Flickr.com

              We of course need to relax in order to restore our energy, but we can't manifest our dreams if we're always away at leisure. The greater our efforts, the greater the energy and momentum that brings about those results. Being lazy only brings us more laziness sooner.  

               But we're unwilling to accept this high level of responsibility behind creating our own results. We don't want to be judged by others, and no one wants such a heavy burden on their shoulder. So when things go wrong, we often list off an excuse or find someone else to blame for our current misfortunes.

               However, once we begin to realize in depth how Causality works, we try our best to get ourselves back on course. We focus our minds toward planting all the good seeds we can to better the lives of those around us as well as ourselves. Doing good in this way speeds us toward achieving our ultimate purpose in life.

                 So it's all just cause and effect. Just do a lot of good and I'll be happy. Is that all there is to it? Can Buddhism really be this simple?

                Let's get some insight from a very chance encounter between a Buddhist monk and a Confucian philosopher that took place hundreds of years ago.

Original Photo by Rebecca Selah available on Flickr.com

***

                  In China, there was a famous Buddhist monk by the name of Bird's Nest. He liked to meditate on branches high up in the trees.

                 One day, the famous Confucian poet Bai Juyi was walking through the forest and spotted the treetop monk in meditation. Seeing this rare opportunity to meet with another great philosopher, Bai Juyi decided to playfully tease him from below.

              "Hey up there!" said Bai Juyi. "Isn't it dangerous to sit high in a tree with your eyes closed? You may doze off and hit the ground."

               "It is YOU down there that is in danger!" said Bird's Nest.

               Even though way up in such a precarious place, Bird's Nest was seeking for a solution to his mortality, a danger that awaits each and every one of us. Down below, Bai Juyi realized how keen the monk's awareness must be for such a quick-witted response while still in meditation. He decided to introduce himself to this exceptional monk plainly and forgo all the usual formalities associated with his own title. In this way, both could speak comfortably to the other.

               "I am the rather insignificant Bai Juyi. Might I ask your name, good monk?"

                "I am the insignificant monk Bird's Nest."

                 "Ah, so it is indeed the famous Master Bird's nest I am speaking with?" Bai Juyi said as he devised a way to test the knowledge of this well-known monk. "Well, I'm very pleased to run into you, because you see, I've been wondering for a long time about Buddhism. Since I have you here, could you tell me in just a few words, what it is that Buddha teaches?"

                 Bird's Nest said simply, "To refrain from all forms of evil and pursue good. This is Buddhism. In fewer words, stop bad deeds and do good deeds."

                 "Hah-hahahaha!" Bai Juyi erupted in laughter. "Even a three-year-old child could figure out that! Hah-hahaha--"

                 "--A child of three may know it," interrupted Bird's Nest. "But even a man of 80 years still finds it rather difficult to carry out, wouldn't you say?"

***

                 This made Bai Juyi reflect deeply. It’s very true that little kids quickly seem to grasp the difference between right and wrong at an early age. Yet why is it that once they grow up into parents and grandparents they still run into the same problems?

               Ethics and morals may succeed at making us appear virtuous to the outside world with what we say and do. But Buddhism is different in that its primary focus is within the mind. We have to make sure the good that we do with our words and our physical efforts comes from the very bottom of our hearts.

              If you do good, good things will happen to you! If you do bad, you will head toward misfortune. You reap the results of the seeds you yourself planted. So if we really understand the Law of Cause and Effect completely, we'd naturally quit doing bad actions and do more good actions!

                However, it's just too difficult to see how Cause and Effect works in relation to all the miscellaneous events that happen to us everyday. It's even more difficult to clearly see how we behave toward others with real accuracy.

               Since we have a bias toward our own choices and our own perspective, it is this same bias that causes us to doubt Causality when things don't seem to be going our way. "But I'm such a great person," we think. "I don't deserve all this bad treatment that's happening to me. Something went wrong."

                   But if we really put our minds to work, are we really successfully doing good all the time? Are we really able to determine the true severity of our own mistakes? How much real effort are we sincerely putting toward doing good? How about all those small acts of kindness we put off or never get around to actually doing? "Those little ones aren't as important," we justify to ourselves. "No one will notice, so who cares? I'll wait for something better to do with my time."

               Yet there is actually so much to gain by all these small acts of good. We should make special effort toward completing them as best we can. If we keep a positive mindset with all we endeavor, great or small, we can only stand to gain. Even moments that appear to be setbacks can suddenly take on new meaning. To understand this further, let's read a short story.

***

Do Good Regardless

The Stone in the Center of Town

            A king once slipped out of his castle in the middle of the night when nobody was looking and laid a great stone in the center of town.

   

Original Photo by Joel Penner, available on Flickr.com

             In the morning, a drunken soldier tripped over the stone, fell, and hit his head. "Who put this blasted stone here?" he snarled. "I'd like to teach that damn fool a lesson." Cursing, he went on his way.

          Soon a gentleman on horseback came by and just missed running into the stone. He came to a stop and said, "Whew, that was close! I could have been killed. What a dirty trick to play!!" Muttering, he trotted on.

         After another interval, a farmer came by, pulling his wagon. "What's this?" he cried. "Somebody put a big stone here. It's dangerous and blocks the way." Grumbling, he gave the stone a kick and went on by.

         None of them thought to remove the stone.

         A month later, the king assembled the people in the town square and admonished them. "I am the one who put the stone here," he said. "But none of you made any attempt to remove it for the public good. That is a sign that my reign is flawed. Today I personally will remove the stone."

          When he did so, underneath it was a bag marked, "For Whoever Moves the Stone Out of the Way." It was full of gold and jewels.

Photo by Kurtis Garbutt (edited to enhance color), original available on Flickr.com

      Good deeds, even those that go unseen, always bring a reward.

(Something You Forgot Along the Way, p. 162)

***

           Whether it's moving a stone out of the way to picking up trash on the street when we see it, everyone would start doing more good if they knew a great reward awaited. Because, deep down, we all want to be recognized and applauded.

http://www.break.com/video/awesome-flashmob-reward-for-picking-up-bottle-2028163

 

            From flash mobs to reality TV to stardom, the desire for fame is in our very nature. But very few people can carry out the self-discipline and the consistent effort of virtue that it requires. Most people notice all the problems they have stacked up around them only to walk away or put it off. “Maybe later...” we say to ourselves. “Next week seems better for me... or better yet would be next month...” Sound familiar? Do those words sound like you’re getting any closer to what you really wanted?

           Our past experiences may fool us into thinking that doing a favor for someone else will keep us from being happy. "Hmmm," we think to ourselves. "This favor is going to end up taking up a lot of my time. If I don't get around to it, I'm sure someone else will step in instead of me. I don't have to be the one."

           Yet passing off these little acts of kindness to someone else proves that we don't really understand that doing good will bring good results. "This good is just so little, so it won't really amount to much anyway," we think. "I'm better off doing something else of more importance." But that self-interested thinking reveals how skewed our perspective can be.

            We need to reflect on our actions and see all the good around us that we can possibly do. Skipping over the little things is actually negligence on our parts, and it's also letting us miss out on this one-and-only chance to receive something that is actually really, really wonderful.

           But still we persist, "Why bother? Even if I do go out of my way and do this for them, it won't really bring me a good effect. The effect I will notice in my life will be really small, so why should I care at the end of the day? I've already got a lot on my plate as it is." This self-serving mentality demonstrates the ignorance at our very core and our complete incapability of understanding the Law of Cause and Effect. Buddhism reveals to us just how extremely short-sighted our nature is.

            "The Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna (ca. 150-250) expressed the reality of human goodness in this way: 'Even if you pour two or three jugs of boiling water on a frozen pond four miles around, the next day, the ice there will swell up.' In other words, boiling water may have the power to melt ice, but overnight it too will freeze. In the same way, human goodness is overwhelmed by our overriding capacity for evil."

(You Were Born for a Reason, p. 133)

Photo by TheTurducken (edited to remove debris), original available on Flickr.com

                But can that be an accurate portrayal? Doubt arises in our minds. Well, with so many millions and millions of benevolent people working diligently in charity organizations and as volunteers, how can Nagarjuna make such a claim that human goodness is "overwhelmed by our overriding capacity for evil?"

                 "Let there be no misunderstanding. The sort of person under consideration here -- one who feels pity and compassion for those in unfortunate circumstances and take action to help them, only to be brought up short by the realization that his benevolence is tainted by ugly pride -- is by definition one whose heart is sincerely set on doing good; otherwise, he would be incapable of such a deep realization. The more we try to become good, the more we see that our 'evil nature knows no end,' and the more we are driven to repent and to strive to overcome our natural bent toward evil."

(You Were Born for a Reason, p.134)

                There are so many grand possibilities to do good in this world. But once we begin to do a lot of good for others, there is the chance of getting carried away with unseen pride.

                 For that reason, there are three things we should take into consideration when we do good. In Buddhism, they are known as the Three Spheres of Emptiness (or the Three Empty Wheels). 

Three Spheres of Emptiness 

   1st  Sphere        2nd Sphere       3rd Sphere

  

But I gave…            ...so much...             ...to that ingrate! 

(Pride as a Giver)                    (Pride in the Gift)                     (Pride over the Receiver)   

(1^st Sphere) But I gave = (Pride as a Giver)

The fact we did good for someone can inflate our pride,

 and give us a false sense of superiority.

We should try to forget

or lessen the importance of our act.

(2^nd Sphere) So much = (Pride in the Gift)

The greater the act or gift we provide for someone else

the greater the tendency to demand more respect from it.

We should try to forget what we did

to not become attached to our offering.

(3^rd Sphere) To that ingrate = (Pride over the Receiver)

If we do a lot for someone and they are thankless,

we can have spite toward them.

We should be grateful to others and give back

without keeping track in our hearts of who we gave to.

                  Some may wonder why good deeds should be forgotten, especially if one has been taken advantage of by that someone else. But when performing good deeds it's also important to have wisdom of who to give to. We'll find out more on this topic in the next post.

            All the more than 7,000 sutras of Sakyamuni Buddha teach the importance of doing good, yet there is just one simple and true test of our understanding.  

Knowing something without putting it into practice 

is the same as not knowing it.  

                  We can say we know good deeds bring good results, but until we can practice it everyday without fail in our everyday lives -- we don't really know it. This is because the more we endeavor to do good, the more we are revealed about our true nature. Without taking the initiative to put it into practice, we can't make any new breakthroughs in knowing ourselves at any real depth.

               Because there are so many virtues that we can try to practice, Sakyamuni Buddha narrowed all of them down into six distinct categories. They are known as the Six Paramitas. In ancient Sanskrit, the meaning of the word paramita can be compared to a bridge. So in Buddhism, the Six Paramitas are each like a bridge for us on the journey toward reaching absolute happiness.

Six Paramitas

 1st Paramita - Generosity (Give to Others)

2nd Paramita - Accountability (Keep your Promises)

3rd Paramita - Patience (Remain Calm in Adversity)

4th Paramita - Diligence (Make Sincere Efforts)

5th Paramita - Contemplation (Reflect on Yourself)

6th Paramita - Wisdom (Improve Your Self by Serious Practice of the Law of Cause & Effect)

The 6th Paramita of Wisdom is a culmination of the first five paramitas

(Generosity, Accountability, Patience, Diligence, Contemplation)

cumulatively practiced at the same time.

                         The Buddha taught that we should freely choose whichever or however many of these we feel that we can do easily. Then once we've chosen, we try to perform them with all our might!

                          In the next posts, let's go over each one carefully starting with the first paramita of Generosity.