A few words about Paramitas - “Far-reaching attitudes”

Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche renders "pāramitā" into English as "transcendent action" and then frames and qualifies it:

Para in Sanskrit literally means the 'other shore.' Here it means going beyond our own notion of the self. From the Buddhist point of view in general, and from the Mahayana point of view in particular, if we want to progress properly on the path, we need to go beyond our conventional understanding of the self. **When we say that paramita means "transcendent action," we mean it in the sense that actions or attitude are performed in a non-egocentric manner. "Transcendental" does not refer to some external reality, but rather to the way in which we conduct our lives and perceive the world – either in an egocentric or a non-egocentric way. The six paramitas are concerned with the effort to step out of the egocentric mentality.[18]

There are six: Generosity, Discipline, Patience, Exertion/Perserverence, Concentration, Wisdom

Generosity - Giving and being willing to give. Giving time, expertise, knowledge. Giving energy. Giving money. Giving something even if it doesn’t belong to you - wishing everyone could enjoy this sunset or this good feeling.

Giving material things. Giving teachings and the benefits of teachings we’ve received. Giving “protection from fear” and giving love.

Giving without expecting anything in return (thanks, fame, respect, good karma). Giving knowing that giver and receiver are one. Giving knowing that possessions are empty and that we don’t actually own anything. Giving anonymously. Giving wisely, with discrimination. “Idiot Compassion” Giving honest feedback and difficult conversations instead of another handout of money.

Giving to those closest to you vs. people you don’t know.

Giving yourself, your best self, a gift - a retreat, a new relationship, therapy, time alone, a change in environment - being generous with the person you want to be.

Practices - imagining giving - mandala practice. Giving from one hand to another. But that’s not enough - that’s just practice.

Giving more than is comfortable. Giving something you want - from that spot in the traffic to Giving to our teachers and our dharma center. May is Membership month!

Two contemplations:

1. Contemplate a recent time when you were generous. When you lived up to the paramita of generosity - giving without expecting anything in return. Why did you do that? What did it feel like to you? To the other person? What were the repercussions?
2. Contemplate a time when you struggled to give. Where was the block? Looking back was it wisdom or confusion?