ACQUIRING AN ENLIGHTENED ATTITUDE: The Six Paramitas and Beyond
The wish to attain perfect enlightenment in order to be able to work for the benefit of all beings is the basis for developing an enlightened attitude of bodhicitta. Twenty-two similes are given by Maitreya in the Abhisamayalankara:
earth, gold, moon, fire, treasure, jewel-mine, ocean, diamond, mountain, medicine, spiritual friend, wish-fulfilling gem, sun, song, king, treasury, highway, carriage, reservoir, echo, river, cloud
“When the formation of an enlightened attitude is accompanied by earnest desire it is like the EARTH, forming a solid basis for all positive qualities: when by a general intention it is like GOLD, not changing until enlightenement has been attained; and when by a strong inclination it is like the WAXING MOON, increasing all wholesome qualities.”
-Gampopa, The Jeweled Ornament of Liberation
“When the formation of an enlightened attitude is accompanied by an earnest application it is like FIRE, consuming as fuel the veils which hide the three kinds of omniscience. This is the Path of Application.”
-Gampopa, Jeweled Ornament of Liberation
DANA or the paramita of GENEROSITY is like a GREAT TREASURE satisfying all beings.
SHILA or the paramita of DISCIPLINE, Ethics and Manners is like a JEWEL-MINE forming a solid basis for precious virtues.
SHANTI or the paramita of PATIENCE is like a GREAT OCEAN, not disturbed by all the undesired that sinks to the bottom.
VIRYA or the paramita of COURAGE or Strenuousness is like a DIAMOND, too hard to be destroyed.
