Today is the final day of Higan week, the three days before the equinox and the three days after. As explained in a Nichiren Shu brochure:

For Buddhists, this period is not just one characterized by days with almost equal portions of light and dark. Rather, it is a period in which we strive to consciously reflect upon ourselves and our deeds.

Today we consider the Perfection of Wisdom. To that end I’m returning to Jan Nattier’s translation of The Inquiry of Ugra.

“Moreover, O Eminent Householder, when the householder bodhisattva sees a beggar, he will fulfill the cultivation of the six perfections.

1. “O Eminent Householder, if as soon as the householder bodhisattva is asked for any object whatsoever, his mind no longer grasps at that object, in that way his cultivation of the perfection of giving will be fulfilled.
2. “If he gives while relying upon the spirit of enlightenment, in that way his cultivation of the perfection of morality will be fulfilled.
3. “If he gives while bringing to mind loving-kindness toward those beggars and not producing anger or hostility toward them, in that way his cultivation of the perfection of endurance will be fulfilled.
4. “If he is not depressed due to a wavering mind that thinks ‘If I give this away, what will become of me?’ in that way his perfection of exertion will be fulfilled.
5. If one gives to a beggar and, after having given, is free Of sorrow and regret, and moreover he gives [these things] up from the standpoint of the spirit of enlightenment and is delighted and joyful, happy, and pleased, in that way his cultivation of the perfection of meditation will be fulfilled.
6. And if, when he has given, he does not imagine the dharmas [produced by his giving] and does not hope for their maturation, and just as the wise do not settle down in [their belief in] any dharmas, just so he does not settle down [in them], and so he transforms them into Supreme Perfect Enlightenment—in that way his cultivation of the perfection of insight will be fulfilled.

“O Eminent Householder, in that way when the householder bodhisattva sees a beggar he will fulfill the cultivation of the six perfections.”