My dear friends,
As we walk the Bodhisattva path, we seek to cultivate both the heart of compassion and the clear mind of wisdom. The unity of these two, known as aspirational Bodhicitta and ultimate Bodhicitta, forms the foundation of our journey toward awakening. Aspirational Bodhicitta is the deep, heartfelt intention to bring all beings to freedom from suffering. It is love and compassion in their purest forms, a desire to relieve the burdens of others. Ultimate Bodhicitta, on the other hand, is the realization of the profound truth of emptiness — the understanding that all phenomena, including ourselves, are empty of inherent existence and arise interdependently. By combining these two, the perfections (paramitas) of generosity, morality, patience, joyful perseverance, meditative concentration, and wisdom manifest in their highest forms, guiding us to live for the benefit of all beings. Let us explore how this union of compassion and wisdom is reflected in the corresponding six mind training slogans of Atiśa.
Generosity arises from a wish to bring happiness to others, to ease their suffering by sharing what we have. Aspirational Bodhicitta inspires us to give without hesitation, fueled by love and compassion. However, true generosity is perfected when it is combined with the wisdom of emptiness. The absence of possessiveness stems from the understanding that there is no true owner or thing owned; everything is part of a web of interdependence. When we see this, our giving becomes pure and effortless, untainted by attachment or expectation. We give freely, knowing there is nothing to lose and no self to defend. This is the best generosity — a giving that is boundless and without grasping.
Morality, or ethical discipline, is not merely a set of rules to follow but a way of living that avoids harm and cultivates virtue. Aspirational Bodhicitta motivates us to act with integrity, ensuring that our actions, speech, and thoughts are beneficial to others. Yet, the best morality arises when it is coupled with the tranquility of a mind that has realized emptiness. When we understand that all appearances are like illusions, our mind remains calm, unshaken by praise or blame, gain or loss. From this place of tranquility, ethical conduct flows naturally and spontaneously, without rigidity or self-consciousness. Such a mind is free from the anxiety of maintaining an image or agenda; it embodies the best morality, which is at peace because it knows the nature of things.
Patience is the strength to endure difficulties, whether they come from others, circumstances, or within ourselves. Aspirational Bodhicitta gives us the motivation to bear hardships for the sake of others, to remain kind and steadfast even when provoked. But it is the wisdom of emptiness that transforms patience into its best form: humility. When we see that the self we cling to does not truly exist, the ego that takes offense or seeks validation dissolves. This humility allows us to be patient not out of mere endurance but out of understanding. We no longer feel the need to protect or assert ourselves, for there is no solid self to defend. Thus, we uphold humility, and with it, patience becomes boundless and unshakeable.
Joyful perseverance, or diligence, is the enthusiasm to continue practicing the path despite obstacles. Aspirational Bodhicitta drives us to persevere because we see the immense benefit our practice can bring to others. However, the best perseverance is marked by the ability to let go of striving. This seems paradoxical, yet it is resolved through the wisdom of emptiness. When we see that all efforts, actions, and results are empty of inherent existence, we no longer cling to them. We engage in the practice without a sense of burden or stress, like a dancer moving freely without effort. This letting go does not mean giving up but rather embracing the practice with a sense of ease and joy, knowing there is no need to grasp at success or fear failure.
Meditative concentration is the ability to focus the mind single-pointedly, free from distraction. Aspirational Bodhicitta encourages us to develop this concentration so that we can understand the nature of the mind and help others. Yet, the best concentration is uncontrived — it arises naturally when the mind rests in the understanding of emptiness. When we see that thoughts, emotions, and experiences are like clouds passing through the sky of the mind, we no longer need to force concentration. The mind remains spacious, open, and clear, effortlessly focused because there is no grasping or aversion. This uncontrived mind embodies perfect concentration, where clarity and stillness coexist in harmony.
Wisdom, in the context of the Bodhisattva path, is the direct realization of emptiness — the understanding that all phenomena, including the self, are empty of inherent existence. Aspirational Bodhicitta leads us to seek this wisdom because it is the ultimate tool for freeing ourselves and others from suffering. The best wisdom, however, goes beyond intellectual understanding; it is a deep, experiential knowledge that does not identify with anything. When we cease to identify with the body, mind, or even the concept of self, we experience true freedom. There is no “I” that needs to be defended, no “mine” that needs to be protected. This wisdom allows us to act with compassion and skill, free from the delusions of self-centeredness. Thus, the best wisdom is one that sees through the illusions of separation and acts for the benefit of all beings without attachment.
My dear friends, as we journey along the Bodhisattva path, let us remember that the perfections are not separate from each other but are expressions of the unity of compassion and wisdom. Aspirational Bodhicitta inspires us to practice each perfection for the welfare of others, while ultimate Bodhicitta illuminates the true nature of reality, enabling us to practice them without attachment, fear, or ego. In this way, the six perfections become not just practices but the natural radiance of an awakened heart and mind, guiding us to serve all beings with love, peace, and clarity.