Buddhism
Dharma Buddha
Buddha Statues
In many commentaries on the Six Perfections, generosity is said to be an entry way to the dharma. Generosity is the beginning
of bodhicitta, the aspiration to realize enlightenment for all beings, which is critically important in Mahayana.
Dana paramita is a true generosity of spirit. It is giving from sincere desire to benefit others, without expectation of reward or
recognition. There must be no selfishness attached. Even charity work done to "feel good about myself" is not true dana paramita.
Read More: "The Perfection of Giving"
Prajna is the ultimate perfection that includes all other perfections. The late Robert Aitken Roshi wrote, "The Sixth Paramita is Prajna,
the raison d'tre of the Buddha Way. If Dana is the entry to the Dharma, then Prajna is its realization and the other Paramitas are
Prajna in alternate form." (The Practice of Perfection, p. 107)
That all phenomena are without self-essence may not strike you as especially wise, but as you work with prajna teachings the
significance of sunyata becomes more and more evident, and the importance of sunyata to Mahayana Buddhism cannot be
overstated.
However, this wisdom cannot be understood by intellect alone. So how do we understand it? Through the practice of the other
perfections -- generosity, morality, patience, energy. and meditation.
http://buddhism.about.com/od/Paramitas/a/The-Six-Perfections.htm