To Light a Thousand Lamps - The Theosophical Society

13
The Pāramitās
IN The Voice of the Silence H. P. Blavatsky epitomizes the
compassionate course as follows:
To live to benefit mankind is the first step. To practise
the six glorious virtues is the second. — p. 33
The six glorious virtues are the pāramitās the neophyte is
required to master as he travels the path that leads to the
highest initiatory experience. Following Mahāyāna Buddhist
terminology, HPB presents these ‘‘transcendental virtues’’
or ‘‘perfections’’ in her Voice as the ‘‘golden keys’’ that
open the portals to masterhood. Buddhist texts of both
Northern and Southern Schools list them variously in number
and order, and at times with a di¤erent selection of
‘‘virtues.’’ The words chosen for this or that ‘‘virtue,’’ their
number, or how they are arranged are of minor importance;
what counts is fidelity to the endeavor to transcend the
limitations of the ordinary self.
What are these pāramitās? Of the seven listed in the
Voice, the first one is dāna, ‘‘giving,’’ concern for others,
being altruistic in thought, speech, and act. The second is
śīla, ‘‘ethics,’’ the high morality expected of the earnest disciple;
the third, kshānti, ‘‘patience,’’ forbearance, endurance,
is the kindly perception that others’ failings are no worse
and perhaps less severe than one’s own.