For this Fall Higan week I’m using Chinese Master Hsuan Hua‘s commentary on the Lotus Sutra.  Before starting Higan week tomorrow, I offer Hsuan Hua’s explaination of the Counteraction, Interaction and Rewards associated with the Six Pāramitās.

The six pāramitās can also be explained in three other ways.

1. Counteraction. The first pāramitā, giving, counteracts stinginess. Being stingy, you are reluctant to give. Giving is an act of letting go. The second pāramitā, upholding precepts, counteracts breaking the precepts. The third pāramitā, patience, counteracts hatred. The fourth pāramitā, vigor, counteracts indolence, so that you won’t be lax. The fifth pāramitā, dhyāna, counteracts scatteredness. The sixth pāramitā, prajña, counteracts ignorance.
2. Interaction. If one [becomes a monastic when one] renounces one’s household life and wife – that is, if one practices giving – one is upholding precepts. When one is able to endure humiliation without complaining, one is patient. Having been patient, one can be vigorous. Having been vigorous, one can regulate the five sense faculties – eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body – so they no longer play tricks and will listen to you. When the five sense faculties have been regulated, you’ll understand the nature of the Dharma realm. To understand the Dharma realm is prajā. This is an explanation of the six pāramitās according to their Interaction.
3. Rewards. Giving brings the reward of being rich. Upholding the precepts brings the reward of the perfection and refinement of the six sense faculties. You won’t be blind or crippled, or lack a hand or leg, or otherwise lack the complete six sense faculties – eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind. Patience brings the reward of physical beauty. You’ll be born with good looks. Why are people ugly? Because in past lives they were impatient and couldn’t cope with their difficulties. Vigor brings the reward of having great power and authority. Dhyāna brings the reward of a long and healthy life. You can live as long as you like. Prajña brings the reward of unobstructed eloquence.