On July 9, 2023, after meditation, we met online for a Teachers’ Corner session about “The Practice of Six Transcendence.”

We listened to a collection of excerpts from a Dharma talk series by Ven. Pannavati, on the Six Transcendents (Pāramitās) as taught in the Mahāyāna Buddhist tradition. The Venerable shared insights on each of the transcendent qualities, repeatedly underscoring the importance of practicing them “for the sake of others.”

Giving (Dāna), the first transcendence quality, involves selflessly offering our best to others rather than giving outdated or insignificant items. Generosity can be cultivated through reasoning and understanding the natural law of sowing and reaping, but it is best developed through acts of giving without the thought of returns, to benefit others.

Morality (Sīla), the second transcendence is the avoidance of improper behavior for the sake of others. Ven. Pannavati points out that concentration is crucial in developing morality. Concentration stabilizes our minds and protects us from distractions. By training our minds to stay focused, we can fulfill our vows of not creating harm.

Patience (Kṣānti), the third quality, was described as the ability to remain calm and composed in the face of agitation or inconvenience. Ven. Pannavati explains that impatience often stems from personal desires not being met and manifests as anger. We can cultivate patience by uprooting anger and viewing adversity as opportunities for practice.

Effort (Vīrya), the fourth aspect, is defined as inspiration for spiritual practice for the sake of others. Apathy and laziness are hindrances to effort, often caused by discouragement. Ven. Pannavati emphasized the importance of being driven by a deep sense of purpose and spiritual inspiration to overcome obstacles and pursue our highest potential.

Meditative absorption (Dhyāna), the fifth quality, refers to the deep states of concentration and mindfulness. By training the mind to be present and focused, we cultivate mental clarity and inner peace, allowing us to transcend distractions and connect with the depth of our being and the nature of phenomena.

Wisdom (Prajñā), the sixth transcendence, is discussed as a deep understanding of the nature of reality and the Four Noble Truths. Ven. Pannavati acknowledges that she has not fully comprehended the suffering of conditioned existence, which is the first truth. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and abandoning the causes of suffering, and developing the path, to ultimately realize the cessation of suffering.

Ven. Pannavati also reminds us that progress takes time and emphasizes the need for personal reflection and finding the right balance in practicing these transcendences. By engaging in these practices, we can deepen our spiritual growth and transform ourselves for the benefit of others.

After listening to the talk, our group shared an important observation about the Six Transcendence practice – that they are all intertwined! Focusing on the cultivation of one quality will also help develop the others. For example, the power of concentration cultivated from “meditative absorption” will support our “morality” practice. And as our “morality” practice gain strength, we may also find it easier to curb our anger as it arises, fostering the growth of “patience” within us.

The full length videos and resources for sutta references are posted below. Happy learning!