Dāna: Generosity
letting go of the obsession with individual gain
Sīla: Morality
the practice of ethics is relational, oriented toward creating safety for ourselves and others in spiritual community, comes in the form of 5 precepts:
- Taking life
- Taking that which is not offered
- Sexual misconduct
- Lying and unskillful speech
- Abuse of intoxicants
Nekkhamma: Renunciation
letting go of that which we do not need
Paññā: Insight
a result of practice and insight AND when we connect with spiritual friends, study the teachings, listen to teachers, ask questions, and explore the Dharma in our own lives.
Viriya: Energy
We cultivate the perfection of energy by caring for the body through food, exercise, sleep, and wise relationship with the external world. see the five spiritual faculties and the seven awakening factors
Khanti: Patience
is not just the ability to wait for something to happen without anxiety or restlessness, but the ability to endure unpleasant things without distress (dukkha). Jesus must have had this when he was nailed to a cross
Sacca: Truthfulness
- Lying
- Divisive speech
- Harsh speech
- Nonsense, or “idle chatter”
Adhiṭṭhāna: Resolution
- Restrain unskillful qualities that have arisen
- Give up unskillful qualities that haven’t yet arisen
- Develop skillful qualities that haven’t yet arisen
- Preserve skillful qualities that have arisen (AN 4.69)
Metta: Loving-kindness
- May [I / you / all beings] be safe from harm of all kinds, inner and outer.
- May [I / you / all beings] be happy and peaceful.
- May [I / you / all beings] be strong in body and mind.
- May [I / you / all beings] live with ease and well-being.
Upekkhā: Equanimity
is a state of peace and acceptance that is both a heart quality and a manifestation of wisdom