The Six Transcendent Practices of a Bodhisattva:

from Tulku Jigme Rinpoche

 

This month we begin an exploration of the Six Transcendent Practices of a Bodhisattva – the six "paramitas" in Sanskrit. These six practices are:

 

 

They are called "transcendent" because they are accompanied by the wisdom of emptiness.

 

It is appropriate that we examine the first transcendent practice – generosity – so soon after the holiday season when many people involve themselves in traditional gift giving practices. For the true bodhisattva on the path to enlightenment, generosity involves much more than simple giving, even to the point of offering one's own head or limb for the benefit of another being. This is the ultimate act of generosity of a bodhisattva who has realized emptiness.

 

A well-known example of Transcendent Generosity is the story of Namo Buddha. In a prior incarnation, Buddha was out in the forest and came across a tigress with cubs. The tigress was starving and unable to provide milk for her young. The tigress was too weak to hunt and death for her and her cubs was imminent. So moved by the sight, Namo Buddha sliced off his own skin and muscle and offered it tigress so that the tigress and her cubs would be saved. In doing so, Namo Buddha instantly became a Bodhisaatva. Such an act is the highest form of Transcendent Generosity.

 

For ordinary beings, however, we must be generous from our own wealth and worldly possessions. How do we accomplish this? Most of the time, we give with expectations, with some hope of getting something in return. Perhaps we expect a gift for ourselves or maybe we expect some reward in a future existence. All of this is caught-up in concepts; it is the product of our conceptual mind. When we give from a space of non-conceptuality, this is transcendent generosity.There is no concept of giver, gift, or recipient. Generosity within a conceptual frame is just worldly generosity; it is not the generosity of transcendence.

 

In addition, there are three types of generosity:

 

 

Generosity of object refers to giving of our material possessions and goods.

 

Generosity of fearlessness is the giving of protection – freeing other beings from fear and danger.

 

Finally, the generosity of dharma refers to offering teachings of the authentic Dharma.

 

No matter what the season or occasion, throughout the year and on a daily basis, as part of your Bodhisattva practice, engage in Transcendent Generosity. Practice generosity in a non-conceptual manner without attachment to the outcome. In this way, you will gain merit. This is the path to Enlightenment.

 

As before, I am pleased to tell you that Rinpoche is well and at peace, here in our home in Sundarijal and the monks of Nyinmapa Wishfulfilling Center continue to accumulate 100,000 recitations of the King of Prayers, to promote universal peace and calm.

 

Yours in the Dharma,

 

Tulku Jigme Rinpoche