The Sanskrit term upaya is typically translated to “skillful means,” “expedient means,” or “skillful methods.” Upaya plays a central role in a bodhisattva’s path to enlightment.

What is upaya?

… As well as greed, hatred, and delusion there are then their opposites, namely non-attachment, loving kindness, and wisdom. Were it not for these there would be no way of breaking out of the cycle of greed, hatred, and delusion, and thus no path leading to the cessation of duhka.

Gethin, 80

Upaya captures Buddhism’s adaptable and provisional nature. This nature applies to both the teachers and the students; teachers must transform the dharma to be palatable to a changed audience, while the student must transform their methods to align with the idea of skillful means, in order to maintain insight from our actions that are motivated by wisdom and compassion. The Lotus Sutra was one of the most transformative Buddhist texts. Originally written in Sanskrit and then translated to Chinese in It was the first Buddhist Text to be translated to a European Language and manufactured in Europe. This marked Buddhist academics to the West. Upaya was a major theme of this sacred text, telling stories of skillful means and of skillful minds. A well known story from this sutra that exhibits upaya is that of the father that save his three children from their burning home with the false promise of having toys waiting outside for them. Although it is not morally just to lie to people, most people would agree that luring you children out of a burning house with a little lie is far better than letting them burn to their deaths. The father used his wisdom of his children’s love of toys to save their lives because of his love and compassion for them. The father exhibited upaya by using skillful methods to guide his actions, which will result in positive karma.

Another story exhibiting the theme of upaya is that of Captain Compassionate; the captain of a ship with about 400 people because of his awakened mind he is able to deduce that one of the passengers is a thief and a murderer who intends to harm the other passengers. Due to this knowledge Captain Compassionate decides to kill this passenger, both to save him from the negative karma that would result from his actions, as well as to save the other passengers from the suffering that he would have caused them. Actions still have consequences regardless of one’s intentions, but this story shows how when one acts with compassion (compassion to save both the passengers and the murderer) and wisdom (insight that killing him will stop him from accumulating negative karma as well as save hundreds of other people). Captain Compassionate’s actions were guided by wisdom and compassion which allowed him insight into the motivations of the people around him and of himself. This leads to a further understanding of the nature of man and of the suffering of man, as well as a higher level of enlightenment.

Why Do We Care About Upaya?

for the sake of the common weal and happiness, out of compassion to the world, for the benefit, weal, and happiness of the world at large, both gods and men, for the sake of the complete Nirvâna of all beings.

Lotus Sutra, Chapter Three

It may seem hard to think that acting with compassion and wisdom could have potential risks. Returning to the story of Captain Compassionate, we can see how upaya has possible dangers. Statistically speaking, around four percent of people sentenced to death in the United States of America are innocent. Even when innocent offenders are exonerated, they still may serve life sentences for a crime they did not commit (“National Academy of Sciences Reports Four Percent of Death Row Inmates are Innocent” 2014). The Constitution of the United States lays out the rights of the citizens and the government. U.S. Citizens are supposedly protected from unfair and unusual punishments; yet, in states without death penalty bans judges are able to deem crimes heinous enough to warrant the death penalty. If our judicial system is driven by upaya, the death penalty would be used stop an individual from accumulating more negative karma, as well as protecting others from potential harm. But can we disregard innocence that is harmed in the process? In this situation, being guided by upaya results in losing innocent life; to predict whether the death penalty would result in a net accumulation of positive or negative karma we must decide our system is acting in a just in fair manner for all parties involved. The Mahayana tradition’s nature lies in flexibility and therefore we must consider upaya’s transformation and its implications in the twenty first century. 

Why should you care about upaya?

When happiness is liked by me and others equally, what is so special about me that I should strive after happiness only for myself?

Shantideva, Way of the Bodhisattva

At the base of the Buddhist theology, all sentient beings truly desire is to break the wheel of samsara, the cycle of suffering. Karma is the law of cause and effect. If you are motivated by compassion and wisdom, the fundamental elements of upaya, you will bring yourself closer to enlightenment.

References

I. Shantideva, and Padmakara Translation Group. Way of the Bodhisattva. Shambhala Publications Inc, 2006.

II. Gethin, R. M. L. The Foundations of Buddhism. Oxford University Press, 1998.

III. Yifa, Venerable. “Story of the Compassionate Ship’s Captain.” Story of the Compassionate Ship’s Captain, January 1, 1970. http://venyifa.blogspot.com/2008/09/story-of-compassionate-ships-captain.html

IV. “Buddha in a Previous Life as Ship’s Captain.” Buddha Weekly, “Buddha-Weekly-Buddha in a Previous Life as Ship’s Captain-Buddhism.” Buddha Weekly: Buddhist Practices, Mindfulness, Meditation, April 28, 2018. https://buddhaweekly.com/the-jataka-tales-why-they-remain-relevant-for-adults-and-children-both-all-of-the-buddhist-teachings-contained-in-stories/buddha-weekly-buddha-in-a-previous-life-as-ships-captain-buddhism/

V. “National Academy of Sciences Reports Four Percent of Death Row Inmates Are Innocent.” Innocence Project, 28 Apr. 2014, https://www.innocenceproject.org/national-academy-of-sciences-reports-four-percent-of-death-row-inmates-are-innocent/

VI. The Lotus Sutra: Index, https://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/lotus/index.htm.

VII. “Manjushri – the Prince of Wisdom: Red Zambala.” Manjushri – the Prince of Wisdom | Red Zambala, https://buddhism.redzambala.com/buddhism/buddha-aspects/manjushri-the-prince-of-wisdom.html

VIII. Larson, Kay, et al. “Avalokiteshvara: The Changing Face of Compassion.” Lion’s Roar, 3 Dec. 2018, https://www.lionsroar.com/who-is-avalokiteshvara/

External Links

I. Upaya Zen Center

A Buddhist monastery that offers further insight into practices of meditation and thought that are driven by the element of upaya.

II. 10 Minutes of Beginner Yoga for Compassion

An introduction to yoga in the state of compassion, a way to practice mindful meditation to cultivate one’s compassion both themselves and others.

III. Discovering Wisdom

In this short video Mingyur Rinpoche, a Buddhist munk discusses the lack of wisdom and the resulting suffering, as well as how individuals can discover the wisdom within themselves.

Further Readings

I. The Story of Captain Compassionate

More information about the story of Captain Compassion which was mentioned in the first two sections of this encyclopedia entry.

II. The Purpose of the Manjushri Practice

Manjushri is the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. This article discusses the importance of developing our wisdom and the goals of this specific practice. It goes over the four main types of wisdom and the four main misconceptions surrounding them.

III. The Yoga Method of Avalokiteshvara

Further information about the meditation practice of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion. Essentially, more information about the yoga method of compassion.