May 8, 2009

The Six Perfections Defined

Subhuti: What is a Bodhisattva's perfection of giving?

The Lord: Here a Bodhisattva , his thoughts associated with the knowledge of all modes, give gifts, i.e. inward or outward things, and , having made them common to all beings, he dedicates them to supreme enlightenment; and also he instigates thereto. But there is nowhere an apprehension of anything.

Subhuti: What is a Bodhisattva's perfection of morality?

The Lord: He himself lives under obligation of the ten ways of wholesome acting, and others also he instigates thereto.

Subhuti: What is a Bodhisattva's perfection of paitence?

The Lord: He himself becomes one who achieved paitence, and others also he instigates to paitence.

Subhuti: What is a Bodhisattva's perfection of vigour?

The Lord: He dwells persistently in the five perfections, and also others he instigates to do likewise.

Subhuti: What is a Bodhisattva's perfection of concentration?

The Lord: He himself, through skill in means, enters into the trances, yet he is not reborn in the corresponding heavens of form as he could; and others also he instigates to do otherwise.

Subhuti: What is a Bodhisattva's perfection of wisdom?

The Lord: He does not settle down on any dharma, he contemplates the essential original nature of all dharmas; and others also he instigates to the contemplation of all dharmas.

Pancavimsatisahasrika


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