The Heart of Compassion by Dilgo Khyentse

Author:Dilgo Khyentse
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shambhala Publications

I. Training in the six transcendent perfections

The following six sections expound the practice of the six transcendent perfections, or paramitas: generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, concentration, and wisdom. Each of these virtues or qualities is considered to be qualified as truly transcendent (paramita) when it has the following four characteristics: (1) It destroys its negative counterpart—for example, generosity destroying miserliness. (2) It is reinforced with wisdom, that is, it is free from all concepts of subject, object, and action. (3) It can result in the fulfillment of all beings’ aspirations. (4) It can bring others to the full maturity of their potential.

A. Transcendent generosity

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If those who wish for enlightenment must give away even their own bodies,

How much more should it be true of material objects?

Therefore, without expectation of result or reward,

To give with generosity is the practice of a bodhisattva.

Generosity is the natural expression of a bodhisattva’s altruistic mind, free from attachment. A bodhisattva is clearly aware of the suffering that can be caused by amassing wealth and by trying to protect and increase it. Should he ever have any wealth or possessions, his first thought is to give it all away, using it to make offerings to the Three Jewels and to support those who are hungry or without food and shelter. As it is said:

Generosity is the gem that fulfills all wishes

And the sublime sword that cuts through the knot of miserliness.

And the vinaya says:

He who has never given anything away will not be wealthy,

Nor will he have any way even to gather people to him—

Let alone to attain enlightenment.

If you are truly generous, you will be free of all difficulties and will possess whatever wealth you need to carry out altruistic deeds until you attain enlightenment.

The Tibetan king Trisong Detsen is a good example of a bodhisattva who became a great ruler. He used his tremendous wealth to invite Guru Rinpoche, the great abbot Shantarakshita, the great pandita Vimalamitra, and 108 other Indian panditas to Tibet. It was because of his patronage that the teachings of both sutra and tantra were given in Tibet and that the first Tibetan translators were trained. His boundless generosity made the Dharma flourish, and there was immense happiness in the Land of Snows. Later, during the reign of other kings, the treasure rooms were locked and put under heavy guard, and both the Dharma and the prosperity of the Tibetan people declined.

People who are generous may not be trying to get rich, but the natural result of their merit will bring them ever-increasing wealth in their future lives. People tied up in their own miserliness, in contrast, will find themselves reborn in the realm of hungry ghosts, where not even the words food and drink are heard.

Never hope for anything in return for an act of generosity, and do not expect as a result that in your next life you will be treated well or be happy and prosperous. Generosity is complete in itself; there is no need for any other reward than having made others happy.

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