The Six Insights of the Mahayana

Based upon the Six Paramitas, the essential practices of the Bodhisattva to save all beings from suffering.

1. Generosity­—Dāna paramita Total relinquishment of ideas as to the duality of opposites. Insight into the existence and non-existence of all the Dharmas.
2. Precepts—Sila paramita No arising of perceptions, sensations, etc. Insight into form and emptiness.
3. Forebearance—Ksanti paramita No thinking, being affected by nothing. Insight into existence and the Middle Way.
4. Effort—Virya paramita No attachment to forms, no clinging or holding. Insight into the nature of phenomena.
5. Concentration—Dhyana paramita Dwelling on nothing a non-abiding of mind. Insight into the interpenetration of of all phenomenea.
6. Wisdom—Prajna paramita No indulgence in frivolous speech. Insight which realizes that phenomena themselves are the absolute.

These six methods are actually one, the names are merely for convenience. Understand that by a single act of relinquishment, everything is relinquished.

The Three Methods of Training

The path of being perfectly at ease and free of all dependence. The three methods of training at the same level. To realize that discipline, concentration and wisdom are all alike because their substance is intangible, therefore they are undivided and one.

1. Vinaya (Discipline) Freedom from all attachment and discrimination what-so-ever.
2. Dhyana (Concentration) stilling the mind to remain un-moved by surrounding phenomena.
3. Prajna (Wisdom) This stillness of mind is not marred by any thoughts about itself.