Concept of Ten Paramitas

 

Concept of Ten Paramitas

Pāramitā (Sanskrit) or pāramī (Pāli) is "perfection" or "completeness". While, technically, pāramī and pāramitā are both Pāli terms, Pali literature makes far greater reference to pāramī.

The term pāramitā, commonly translated as “perfection,” has two etymologies. The first derives it from the word parama, meaning “highest”, “most distant”, and hence “chief”, “primary”, “most excellent”. Hence, the substantive can be rendered “excellence” or “perfection”. This reading is supported by the Madhyāntavibhāga, where the twelve excellences (parama) are associated with the ten perfections (pāramitā).

A more creative yet widely reported etymology divides pāramitā into pāra and mita, with pāra meaning “beyond”, “the further bank, shore or boundary,” and mita, meaning “that which has arrived,” or its meaning “that which goes.” Pāramitā, then means “that which has gone beyond,” “that which goes beyond,” or “transcendent.” This reading is reflected in the Tibetan translation “gone to the other side”.

            Theravada teachings on the pāramīs can be found in late canonical books and post-canonical commentaries

Historicity

            The Theravādin teachings on the pāramīs can be found in canonical books (Jataka tales, Apadāna, Buddhavaṃsa, Cariyāpiṭaka) and post-canonical commentaries written to supplement the Pāli Canon at a later time, and thus might not be an original part of the Theravādin teachings. The oldest parts of the Sutta Piṭaka (for example, Majjhima Nikāya, Digha Nikāya, Saṃyutta Nikāya and the Aṅguttara Nikāya) do not have any mention of the pāramīs as a category (though they are all mentioned individually).

Some scholars even refer to the teachings of the pāramīs as a semi-Mahāyāna teaching added to the scriptures at a later time in order to appeal to the interests and needs of the lay community and to popularize their religion. However, these views rely on the early scholarly presumption of Mahāyāna originating with religious devotion and appeal to laity. More recently, scholars have started to open up early Mahāyāna literature, which is very ascetic and expounds the ideal of the monk’s life in the forest. Therefore, the practice of the pāramitās in Buddhism is close to the ideals of the ascetic tradition of the śramaṇa.

The ten Paramitas are as follows:

1. Dana Paramita: Perfection of Generosity

Perfection of Generosity is about more than just charitable giving. It is generosity as an expression of selflessness and an acknowledgment that we all inter-exist with each other. Without attaching to possessions or to ourselves we live to benefit all beings. 

2. Sila Paramita: Perfection of Morality

The Perfection of Morality is not about living according to rules -- although there are Precepts, and they are important -- but living in harmony with others. Sila Paramita also touches on the teachings of karma. 

3. Ksanti Paramita: Perfection of Patience

 Ksanti means "unaffected by" or "able to withstand." It could be translated as tolerance, endurance and composure as well as patience or forbearance.

It is a patience with ourselves and others and also an ability to bear hardship and misfortune.

4. Virya Paramita: Perfection of Energy

The word virya comes from vira, an ancient Indo-Iranian word ancient that means "hero." Virya is about tirelessly and courageously overcoming obstacles and walking the path as far as it goes.

5. Dhyana Paramita: Perfection of Meditation

Meditation in Buddhism is not done for stress relief. It is mental cultivation, preparing the mind to realize wisdom (which is the next perfection).

6. Prajna Paramita: Perfection of Wisdom

The original Six Perfections ended with wisdom, which in Mahayana Buddhism is equated with the doctrine of sunyata, or emptiness. Very simply, this is the teaching that all phenomena are without self-essence. And wisdom, the late Robert Aitken Roshi wrote, is "the raison d'être of the Buddha way.

7. Upaya Paramita: Perfection of Skillful Means

 Very simply, upaya is any teaching or activity that helps others realize enlightenment. Sometimes upaya is spelled upaya-kausalya, which is "skill in means." One skilled in upaya can lead others away from their delusions

8. Pranidhana Paramita: Perfection of Vow

This one is sometimes called Perfection of Aspiration. In particular, it is about dedicating oneself to the bodhisattva path and living the bodhisattva vows. 

9. Bala Paramita: Perfection of Spiritual Power

Spiritual power in this sense could refer to supernormal powers, such as an ability to read minds. Or, it could refer to the natural powers awakened by spiritual practice, such as increasing concentration, awareness and patience.

10. Jnana Paramita: Perfection of Knowledge

The Perfection of Knowledge is the implementation of wisdom in the phenomenal world. We can think of this as something like the way a physician uses knowledge of medicine to heal people. This Perfection also ties together the previous nine so that they can be put to work to help others.

References

1. https://www.thoughtco.com/taking-the-bodhisattva-vows-450005

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Arama%E1%B9%87a