The First Treatise on the Perfections – 2546
Therefore, craving, aversion and delusion, which cannot vanquish the
vicissitudes of life, are opposed to the perfection of resolution.
9. Development of loving-kindness can ward off the obstacles in the path
of spiritual progress; therefore these three unwholesome factors,
constituents of the obstacles, are opposed to the perfection of loving-
kindness.
10. Without equanimity, craving for desirable objects and aversion to
undesirable objects cannot be stopped and destroyed; nor can one view
them with a balanced mind. Only when endowed with equanimity can
one do so. Therefore, these three unwholesome factors are opposed to
the perfection of equanimity.
Obstacles in the path of spiritual progress : 1) All forms of craving and
desire (
kāmacchanda
); 2) ill-will (
vyāpāda
) 3) sloth and torpor (
thīna-
midda
); 4) distraction and worry (
uddhacca-kukkucca
), and 5) doubt or
wavering of mind (
vicikiccha
).
10. What is the Method for Practising the Perfections?
To the question: “How are the perfections
fulfilled? How do the Bodhisattas
practise the perfections?” the answer is:
1. How the Perfection of Generosity is Fulfilled
A Bodhisatta fulfils the perfection of generosity by serving the interest of beings
in several ways, such as attending to their welfare, giving up his own life and
limbs, warding off the danger that would befall them, instructing them in the
Dhamma, etc.
The answer in detail is that generosity is of three kinds: the gift of material
objects (
āmisa-dāna
); the gift of fearlessness (
abhaya-dāna
) and the gift of
Dhamma (
Dhamma-dāna
).
The Gift of Material Objects
The gift of material objects (
āmisa-dāna
): Of these three kinds, the gift of
material objects to be given by the Bodhisatta can be twofold, the gift of internal
objects and the gift of external objects.
External objects for offering, according to the discourse method of enumeration,
consists of ten kinds: food, drinks, garments, vehicles, flowers, unguents,