Method | There Is No Suffering

To transcend afflictions and manifest wisdom, bodhisattvas must go beyond meditating and cultivating quiet, contemplative minds. The six paramitas are both the practices and skills by which bodhisattvas interact with sentient beings, and wisdom must be the basis of their practice, infusing their every thought, word, and action. Meditating for personal salvation does not generate great wisdom. In fact, the static power of worldly wisdom generated through samadhi cannot match the dynamic wisdom needed to respond appropriately to the needs of sentient beings. Static power refers to the supernatural, yet still worldly wisdom of samadhi. It is the power that comes with an expanded, even universal, sense of self. By itself, it lacks the free-flowing and spontaneous function of prajna (wisdom born from experiencing no-self), because in samadhi, perceptions are still filtered through a self. The needs of sentient beings are not limited to satisfying ordinary desires for personal welfare and happiness. Bodhisattvas also respond with compassion to people’ s underlying beliefs about existence—the so-called ‘givens’ of life. To generate great wisdom, bodhisattvas must see into the emptiness of things, so that when they interact with others, there is no attachment to self, other, or the interaction. They must also be able to use the six paramitas interchangeably for the benefit of others. As aspirants of the bodhisattva path, we must try to emulate this. Only by helping sentient beings in all kinds of situations while simultaneously refining ourselves—polishing away strong afflictions and subtle, underlying propensities—can wisdom become solid, take root, and grow in power within us.

Bodhisattvas diligently strive to help others in four ways, known as the Four Proper Exertions. First, they help others to avoid non-virtuous acts that they have not yet performed. Second, they persuade others to cease performing non-virtuous acts. These first two exertions cultivate loving-kindness and alleviate sentient beings from suffering, which mostly derives from unwholesome acts. Third, bodhisattvas encourage others to engage in wholesome acts not yet performed. Fourth, they urge others to nurture and expand those positive endeavors that they already perform. These latter two exertions practice compassion and bring happiness and joy to sentient beings. Without the existence and continued cultivation of loving-kindness and compassion, one is not on the bodhisattva path.

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