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Exploring the Six Perfections: Transforming Mind and Spirit by Embracing Buddhist Virtues
Daily life for a Buddhist practitioner is following the Six Perfections in pursuit of enlightenment.
The Six Perfections include generosity, ethical conduct, patience, effort, concentration, and wisdom. They are called Perfections because these practices are all motivated by Bodhichitta, the desire to obtain enlightenment for the sake of others.
Similar actions and behaviors that are not motivated by the selfless Bhodhichitta are not considered true perfections. The main purpose of practicing the six perfections is to complete the collections of merit and wisdom leading to full enlightenment.
Bodhichitta
When most people begin practicing Buddhism, their motivation is a selfish desire to find relief from the suffering of this life.
Early in their practice, most come to realize that in order to overcome their suffering in this life, they must renounce samsara, and worldly concerns with this life, and focus their attention on their future lives.
