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Friends:
paramī = pāramitā
'perfection'
Ten qualities leading to Buddha-hood:
These qualities were developed and brought to maturity
by the
Bodhisatta in his past existences, and his way of practising them is
illustrated in many of the Birth Stories (Jātaka), of which, however, only
the verses are regarded as canonical. Apart from the latter, the 10
pāramī are mentioned in only two other canonical works which are
probably apocryphal, the
Buddhavamsa (in the Story of Sumedha) and the
Cariyapitaka. A long and methodical exposition of the pāramī is
given in the concluding Miscellaneous Section (pakinnakakathā) of
the
Com. to Cariyapitaka
In
Vis.M. IX it is said that through developing the 4 sublime states
(loving-kindness, compassion, altruistic joy, equanimity;
brahma-vihāra), one may reach these 10 perfections, namely:
"As the Great Beings (mahā-satta; a synonym
often found in the Mahāyana scriptures for
Bodhisatta, i.e. 'Enlightenment Being or Being destined for
Buddha-hood) are concerned about the welfare of living beings, not
tolerating the suffering of beings, wishing long duration to the higher
states of happiness of beings, and being impartial and just to all beings,
therefore:
-
they give alms (dāna)
to all beings so that they may be happy, without Investigating whether
they are worthy or not.
-
By avoiding to do them any harm, they observe
morality (sīla).
-
In order to bring morality to perfection, they train
themselves in renunciation (nekkhamma).
-
In order to understand clearly what is beneficial and
injurious to beings, they purify their wisdom (paññā).
-
For the sake of the welfare and happiness of others
they constantly exert their energy (viriya).
-
Though having become heroes through utmost energy,
they are nevertheless full of forbearance (khanti) toward s the
manifold failings of beings.
-
Once they have promised to give or do something, they
do not break their promise ('truthfulness'; sacca).
-
With unshakable resolution (adhitthāna) they
work for the weal and welfare of beings.
-
With unshakable kindness (mettā) they are
helpful to all.
-
By reason of their equanimity (upekkhā) they
do not expect anything in return" (Vis.M.
IX.24).
In the Mahāyana scriptures, where the pāramī
occupy a much more prominent place, a partly differing list of six is
given:
-
liberality,
-
morality,
-
patience,
-
energy,
-
meditation
-
wisdom.
Literature:
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Friends:
The Ten Mental Perfections Fulfilled by all Buddhas!
The Ten Perfections of an Enlightened
One:
The Great Beings (Mahasatta
=
Bodhisatta)
being destined for
Buddhahood)
are always intent on the welfare of all living beings, & do not tolerate
any suffering of anyone, wishing all beings long enjoyment of their
particular states of happiness...
For all being's sake they therefore practice
for many universal cycles (eons) the:
1st Perfection:
Not favourizing any special side, they are quite
Generous
(Dāna)
impartially towards all, without considering whether they are worthy of
gifts or not.
2nd Perfection:
By avoiding all killing, harming or hurting of
any living being, and by neither stealing, cheating, lying, nor faking
they practise pure
Morality
(
Sīla).
3rd Perfection:
To perfect morality, they retreat into
Withdrawal
(Nekkhamma).
4th Perfection:
In
order to obtain absolute certainty of what is advantageous and what is
detrimental for beings, they purify & complete their
Understanding
(P
aññā).
5th Perfection:
For
the sole sake of the salvation & welfare of all breathing beings, they
always arouse and exert their quite heroic and enthusiastic
Energy
(Viriya).
6th Perfection:
Patiently they endure & tolerate abuse, full of
Forbearance
(Khanti).
7th Perfection:
They never break promises or speak what is not
Truthful
(Sacca).
8th Perfection:
Rock solid resolute with unshakable
Determination
(Adhitthāna)
they keep relentlessly ever working hard for the safety & welfare of all
sentient beings.
9th Perfection:
With outmost gentle, kind, benevolent, & good
Friendliness
(Mettā)
they teach, guide, serve, and protect all kind of beings in a wholly
selfless way.
10th Perfection:
In their well ballanced and imperturbable
Equanimity
(Upekkhā)
they do not expect anything in return. They are not stirred by any worldly
fuzz...
Source:
Visuddhimagga IX, 124
More on the 10 Perfections (Pāramitās,
P
aramī):
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/paramii.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/bodhisatta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/bodhisatta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/bodhi.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/b_f/daana.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Openhanded_Generosity.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/s_t/siila.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Mighty_is_Morality.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Witdrawal_Wins_Wisdom.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/n_r/pannaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Understanding_is_the_Chief.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/viriya.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Enthusiastic_is_Energy.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Patient_is_Tolerance.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/adhitthana
.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Determination_Determines.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Metta.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Friendliness_Frees.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/upekkhaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Even_is_Equanimity.htm
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