The Six Paramitas of Buddhism

Paramita means perfection the noblest, most excellent, highest qualities. 

It symbolises the crossing from the shore of confusion and suffering to the shore of liberation and enlightenment. It groups the six actions to be performed to reach a state of realisation.

The six paramitas, or transcendent perfections, are an essential concept in the practice of Mahayana Buddhism. They are so fundamental, in fact, that the “Vehicle of the Perfections” is a synonym for Mahayana itself. The Pali or Theravada tradition also includes perfections, referred to as paramis, but a discussion of these is out of the scope of this article.

“If we want to obtain enlightenment by becoming a Bodhisattva, it is necessary to actualize wisdom and compassion. This is done through the practice of what are called the six paramitas, or 'transcendental actions.'

Para in Sanskrit literally means the 'other shore.' Here, it means going beyond our own notion of the self. From the Buddhist point of view in general and from the Mahayana point of view in particular, if we want to progress properly on the path, we need to go beyond our conventional understanding of the self. 

When we say that paramita means 'transcendental action,' we mean it in the sense that actions or attitudes are performed in a non-egocentric manner. 'Transcendental' does not refer to some external reality but rather to the way in which we conduct our lives and perceive the world—either in an egocentric or a non-egocentric way. The six paramitas are concerned with the effort to step out of the egocentric mentality.”

The six are generally translated as generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, and wisdom. Some lists enumerate ten paramitas, the last four of which are aspects of the wisdom paramita and are skillful means, strength, aspiration, and primordial wisdom. These align with the ten stages of the Bodhisattva path. 

What are the six paramitas in Buddhism? The six perfections are : 

1. Generosity (dana), 
2. Morality (sila), 
3. Patience (kṣanti), 
4. Vigor/diligence (vīrya), 
5. Concentration (dhyana),
6. Wisdom (prajna).

What are the six paramitas of Dana? Dana Paramita are as follows:

1. Generosity, 
2. Giving of oneself, 
3. Giving time and support where needed 
4. when needed, 
5. With no thought of return. 
   

Why are the 6 paramitas important?

The six perfections are important as they allow a Buddhist the opportunity and the means to follow the Buddha's Dhamma (Dharma) . This allows them to reach enlightenment , which is what all Buddhists attempt to achieve in their lifetime.

What makes perfection, or paramita, perfect? 

The perfection of wisdom is the realisation of emptiness. This is required in order to realise the remaining perfections, so this is where we begin. The word “realisation” makes it sound like something that can happen in a single moment. That is not the case. The realisation of emptiness takes time as well as regular practice of Shamata and Vipassana.

Emptiness is a vast topic. In summary, it means that nothing exists on its own without relying upon other things, that all things exist as interdependent phenomena.

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Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

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