Ten Paramitas (Paramis)
 


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:

  1. they give alms (dāna) to all beings so that they may be happy, without Investigating whether they are worthy or not.

  2. By avoiding to do them any harm, they observe morality (sīla).

  3. In order to bring morality to perfection, they train themselves in renunciation (nekkhamma).

  4. In order to understand clearly what is beneficial and injurious to beings, they purify their wisdom (paññā).

  5. For the sake of the welfare and happiness of others they constantly exert their energy (viriya).

  6. Though having become heroes through utmost energy, they are nevertheless full of forbearance (khanti) toward s the manifold failings of beings.

  7. Once they have promised to give or do something, they do not break their promise ('truthfulness'; sacca).

  8. With unshakable resolution (adhitthāna) they work for the weal and welfare of beings.

  9. With unshakable kindness (mettā) they are helpful to all.

  10. 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:

 

 
     
 

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

 

 

Bhikkhu Samāhita, Sri Lanka.

 

 

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