Giving -
Giving one's possessions, virtues, even one's body if needed. Giving of fearlessness,
or protection to others. Practising mentally giving to others. Giving of Dharma,
teachings. Shantideva said: "Others are my main concern. When I notice
something of mine, I steal it and give it to others."
Ethics -
Keeping one's vows. Working for sentient beings.
Restraining from negative actions. Collecting merit (with the motivation of
helping others).
Patience -
Having patience in understanding Dharma and gaining faith. Being undisturbed
by anguish from suffering. Practise patience before getting angry. Having patience
in accepting problems. Being undisturbed by inflicted harm.
Joyous effort / perseverance -
Collecting merit and helping others. Delighting in virtue and every beneficial
action. Avoiding putting off; craving worldly pleasures and discouragement.
Concentration -
Developing quiescence; single pointedness, stability & firmness (meditation).
This brings great progress in any meditation practice and supernatural powers.
Cultivating inner needs: to have few wants and generating contentment, abandoning
demands of the world, and have pure ethics. Creating outer needs: conducive
place: quiet, easy food &
water, blessed place, not too comfortable and a helper.
Wisdom -
Generating ultimate wisdom (emptiness) to achieve liberation and Buddhahood.
Generating relative wisdom in practising the first five perfections and understanding
karma. Wisdom and compassion are the foundatiuons of Mahayana practice.