The Six Paramitas Are Also of the Nature of Emptiness

The Diamond Sutra states: The Tathagata speaks of the first paramita. It is not the first paramita. It is merely called the first paramita. Subhuti, the paramita of patience. The Tathagata says it is not the paramita of patience. It is merely called the paramita of patience.

Explanation: When the Tathagata speaks of the first paramita, it does not mean there truly exists a first paramita. The first paramita is not a real attribute; it is merely named the first paramita. Subhuti, regarding the paramita of patience, the Tathagata says there is not truly a paramita of patience. The paramita of patience is also an illusory and transient phenomenon; it is merely named the paramita of patience.

The Six Perfections of a Bodhisattva are: generosity, moral discipline, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, and wisdom. If one can generate the great bodhi mind and practice the Six Perfections to attain Buddhahood, one can reach the other shore of Nirvana. The Six Perfections practiced in this manner are called the Six Paramitas. Paramita means "reaching the other shore of Nirvana." If one practices the Six Perfections without the bodhi mind, they are merely wholesome deeds and lack the essence of paramita; thus, one cannot reach the other shore of Nirvana.

Among the Six Paramitas, the first is the paramita of generosity. All acts of generosity performed by a Bodhisattva are accomplished through the diamond-like mind, manifested and sustained by it. They are subject to birth, cessation, change, and impermanence. Therefore, the paramita of generosity is an empty and illusory phenomenon, not a real attribute. That is to say, it is not the first paramita; it is provisionally named the first paramita. The paramita of patience is likewise manifested and accomplished by the diamond-like mind. It has no substantial nature, no real attribute of patience, nor any real attribute of paramita. Thus, it too is an empty and illusory phenomenon, not a truly existent attribute. Therefore, it is not the paramita of patience; it is provisionally named the paramita of patience. The same applies to the paramita of moral discipline, the paramita of diligence, the paramita of meditative concentration, and the paramita of wisdom. None of them are truly paramitas; they lack real attributes, being all illusory and empty phenomena, provisionally named paramitas.