As we cultivate the path of awakening, we bring the principles of the Dharma—known as “perfections”—into engagement with all aspects of our life. All Dharma principles are both practices to develop as we train the heart and mind, and ideals that point to the best of who we can be. From the foundational perfection of dāna, inspired giving, through the ethical and meditative perfections, we train to manifest goodness and generosity of spirit in all our relationships. The crown perfection is the quality of wisdom, which begins with the discipline of investigation, ripens through insight, and matures as transcendent clarity and freedom of heart. The Buddhist tradition known as the Perfection of Wisdom, or Prajñāpāramitā, understood that wisdom is what transforms ordinary humans into Buddhas, and thus recognized Prajñāpāramitā as “The Mother of the Buddhas,” a goddess as much as a practice.

We have been exploring the Perfection of Wisdom teachings in the Tuesday evening Satsang, and will bring this thread of practice and inquiry into the fall retreat, our first in-person gathering since the pandemic. This will be a traditional silent retreat, giving ourselves to the practices of meditation, contemplative movement, chanting, and Dharma inquiry. We will practice with the beloved short summary text of the Prajñāpāramitā literature known as the Heart of the Teachings on the Perfection of Wisdom, or Heart Sūtra. Beginners to these teachings are welcome, though some experience in meditation and mindfulness will be helpful, and all participants are encouraged to explore Dr. Oakes’ recent series of talks on the Perfection of Wisdom (YouTube).