Six Paramitas

Prajñā: The Wisdom of Acceptance

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At a time when many of us are dealing with anxiety, frustration and impatience as we feel the effects of climate change in our lives while the Covid-19 pandemic continues to restrict our daily activities, we look to the wisdom of the Issei and Nisei Dharma pioneers, and consider meaning of Japanese expression “Shikata ga nai” (It can’t be helped).

This Dharma talk is Part Six in a six-part series delivered via Zoom Meeting exploring the core Mahayana Buddhist teaching of the Six Paramitas: giving, discipline, patience, diligence, concentration, and wisdom.  The Six Paramitas describe the characteristics of a well-lived Buddhist life, and endeavoring to practice them in everyday situations is a lifelong journey.

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Dharma Discussion: Wisdom/Prajñā (August 23, 2020)

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Click here to read about the Buddhist Virtue of Wisdom

Discussion Questions

  1. What is a difficult situation that Buddhist wisdom has enabled you to accept with peace of mind?
  2. What is a difficult situation that Buddhist wisdom has given you to courage to work to change?
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Dhyāna: When the Bridge of Concentration is Washed Away

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Rev. Adams reflects upon the challenges of maintaining concentration during the Covid-19 pandemic, how we can find inspiration in the life of Osono of Mikawa who struggled with mental concentration herself, and the teachings that Shinran received from Hōnen on maintaining concentration in the most crucial moment of life.

This Dharma talk is Part Five in a six-part series delivered via Zoom Meeting exploring the core Mahayana Buddhist teaching of the Six Paramitas: giving, discipline, patience, diligence, concentration, and wisdom.  The Six Paramitas describe the characteristics of a well-lived Buddhist life, and endeavoring to practice them in everyday situations is a lifelong journey.

Slides for explanation of the Chinese Character for “time”

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Dharma Discussion: Concentration/Dhyāna (August 16, 2020)

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Click here to read about the Buddhist Virtue of Concentration

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you ever experience a state of deep concentration that enabled to you do an activity skillfully and without distraction, sometimes described as a “flow state” or being “in the zone”? What gave rise to that state of mind? Were you able to replicate it on more than one occasion?
  2. Has Buddhist practice in general, and the Nembutsu specifically, helped you to cultivate a concentrated mind at times?
  3. What the greatest obstacles you face in maintain mental concentration?
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Vīrya: Striving Toward a Worthy Goal

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As we reflect upon the goals to which we aspire in this precious human life, we consider the Buddha’s teachings on diligence, the virtue of making effort for the benefit of others without laziness or negligence.

This Dharma talk is Part Four in a six-part series delivered via Zoom Meeting exploring the core Mahayana Buddhist teaching of the Six Paramitas: giving, discipline, patience, diligence, concentration, and wisdom.  The Six Paramitas describe the characteristics of a well-lived Buddhist life, and endeavoring to practice them in everyday situations is a lifelong journey.

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Dharma Discussion: Diligence/Vīrya (August 2, 2020)

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Click here to read about the Buddhist Virtue of Diligence

Discussion Questions

  1. What motivates you to study the Buddha’s teachings?
  2. How have the goals that you are working to achieve in your life shifted as a result of hearing the Dharma and the Nembutsu?
  3. How has your way of working changed as a result of your encounter with the Nembutsu?
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Kṣānti: Transforming Anger through Patience

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We consider the Buddha’s teachings on patience, the roots of anger, and how festering resentment poisons our relationships and communities.  With deepened self-awareness, we look to the light of the Buddha’s wisdom to transform our minds.

This Dharma talk is Part Two in a six-part series delivered via Zoom Meeting exploring the core Mahayana Buddhist teaching of the Six Paramitas: giving, discipline, patience, diligence, concentration, and wisdom.  The Six Paramitas describe the characteristics of a well-lived Buddhist life, and endeavoring to practice them in everyday situations is a lifelong journey.

See the Discussion Notes to read the scriptural passages referred to in this Dharma Talk.

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Dharma Discussion: Kṣānti (July 26, 2020)

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Click here to read about the Buddhist Virtue of Patience

How is patience defined in Mahayana Buddhism?

Three aspects[i]

(1) not giving rise to anger or annoyance—not getting angry in the first place

(2) not clinging to hatred and grudges—if you get angry, not holding onto it

(3) not harboring ill will

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Śīla: Self-Discipline for Living in Harmony

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We consider how practicing self-discipline and living a well-ordered life brings about peace of mind, particularly during stressful and uncertain times in our lives.

This Dharma talk is Part Two in a six-part series delivered via Zoom Meeting exploring the core Mahayana Buddhist teaching of the Six Paramitas: giving, discipline, patience, diligence, concentration, and wisdom.  The Six Paramitas describe the characteristics of a well-lived Buddhist life, and endeavoring to practice them in everyday situations is a lifelong journey.

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