Exertion Paramita

Exertion
In Sanskrit it is: Virya

In Tibetan it is: brtson 'grus (pro. tsun dru )

Joyful Effort

There are many ways of describing Exertion. In the Padmakara Translation Group's translation of the Bodhicaryavatara, or Way of the Bodhisattva by Noble Shantideva (7th century Indian mahasiddha), it is described as heroic perseverance.

In the first two stanzas of this chapter, Shantideva sings:

1. Thus with patience I will bravely persevere.
Through zeal it is that I shall reach enlightenment.
If no wind blows, then nothing stirs,
And neither is there merit without perseverance.

2. Heroic perseverance means delight in virtue.
Its contrary may be defined as laziness:
An inclination for unwholesome ways,
Despondency, and self-contempt.

Atisha (982 - 1054 CE Indian saint), uses 2 slogans in Mind Training (Tib. blo sbyong, pro. lo jong, ) for the paramita of exertion:

Practice the five strengths, The condensed heart instructions.

The mahayana instruction for ejection of consciousness at death
Is the five strengths: how you conduct yourself is important.
(The five strengths are:
1. Strong determination
2. Familiariztion
3. Seed of Virtue
4. Reproach
5. Aspiration (To learn more about these, please read: Training the Mind by Chogyam Trungpa).

Contradictions to the paramita of exertion are:

Collecting followers for fame and fortune.

Not overcoming laziness and so forth.

Indulging in busyness and chatter .


Sarva mangalam!