Six Paths to Enlightenment

1. Six Paths to Enlightenment By Henry Chu Temple Master

2. Introduction • Six Paths to Enlightenment, or “Leo Du BorLorMi” is an important Buddhist teaching • It was not a part of the original sermons by Buddha, but it was created by the gatherings of the monks, established after the death of Buddha • It detailed the focus endeavors that a Buddhist cultivator should undertake in order to become enlightened

3. Introduction • The Six Paths are: Giving Contributions, Upholding Vows, Tolerating Slanders, Zen Stability, Spiritual Advancement, and Attaining Intelligence (Enlightenment) • The Six Paths are not separate paths to enlightenment but a road map of gradual ascension • Ultimately all six paths are to be practices simultaneously

4. Giving Contribution • The First Path is Giving Contributions • This is the first path and the practice is simple, just give • Always look for the right opportunity to give and give what you believe is within your capacity (act according to capacity) • Just like any art, the more you practice the better you will become at the art of giving

5. Giving Contribution • The law of causality dictates that the more you give the more you will be able to give • Look for opportunity to give and give to all who you believe deserves the giving • Spiritually, you will transform from a state of lack to a state of abundance • Karmic debts will also be paid as you gather merits in the process

6. Giving Contribution • Once you have given, then you shall practice the Teaching of Three Vehicles Emptiness • The Three Vehicles are: • You, the emptiness of the giver • It, the emptiness of the object given • Them, the emptiness of the people received • By practicing The Three Vehicles Emptiness you have achieved Infinite Merits with your giving contribution

7. Upholding Vows • This is the Second Path and this is to enhance our spiritual discipline • According to Buddhism the five basic vows for all Buddhist cultivators are none killing, stealing, fornication, lying and alcohol • The no alcohol vows have been modified in the temple community to be no intoxication (including all drug substances)

8. Upholding Vows • The higher level vows are vow of Buddhist Vegetarianism and vow of Chastity • We also have the Ten Great vows from the Three Treasures and the Six vows from the Dharma Meeting • Vows allow for greater spiritual discipline and the vows of actions will assist in gathering merits and achieve higher spiritual levels

9. Tolerating Slanders • The Third Path of Tolerating Slanders involves the suppression of the Ego • Ego is one of most difficult elements to release in our spirituality and tolerating slander will assist in that endeavor • Tolerating slanders means that we will not be angered by “false” accusations, gossips, or criticisms (if they are true then we shall be angry with ourselves and repent)

10. Tolerating Slanders • Tolerating slanders also means that we will actively admit faults even when the mistakes are not caused by us (with moderation, especially in legal or professional situations) • The Ego needs to be right and be perfect at all times and by admitting faults, we put the Ego in its place so we will have control over the Ego and not allowing the Ego to overtake us

11. Zen Stability • Zen Stability is the Fourth Path and it is reaching the state of peace and tranquility • There is two phases to this practice and they are the passive stability and active stability • The passive stability can be achieved through meditation by which the person reaching deep within and connects with the Soul to find connection with God and the Universe

12. Zen Stability • Active stability involves the acceptance of all things in this world with the understanding that the human perspective is limited in its scope and that God is in charge of everything (i.e. do not complaint about the weather) • Zen Stability is a state of true peace and nothing of this world can disturb that peace and tranquility because the cultivator will have attained solid connection with God and looking to this world with a sense of detachment

13. Advancement • Advancement is the Fifth Path and it involves the acceleration of the spiritual growth • At this level, the cultivator will have great appetite for learning and wants to excel at everything that he or she can do • The state of advancement occurs with great mental focus and the cultivator can achieve a great deal of tasks in a short span of time

14. Advancement • This is also the state by which the cultivator learns more about his or her spiritual capacity or gifts • Extraordinary things will happen by which the individual’s mind will synchronize with the Universe and his or her will can manifest miracles • Greater spiritual insights and wisdoms will begin to be revealed

15. Intelligence • The Sixth path of Intelligence is the state of Enlightenment • The individual will be one with God at all time and all wisdom and information (including future events) will be accessible • This is the ultimate state and the person will serve as a divine agent of God in this world and assist with the creation process

16. Conclusion • Six Paths of Enlightenment is a practical guide to Buddhist cultivators and we only need to look at ourselves to see where we are in the process • Like any art, it requires constant practice and the more we practice, the better we will become • The end result is the greatest achievement of enlightenment so it’ll truly be worth our efforts

17. Questions