Paramitas

Definition

Paramitas, often translated as 'perfections,' are essential virtues that a Bodhisattva cultivates to attain enlightenment and help others reach it as well. These ten qualities guide the Bodhisattva path, emphasizing selflessness, compassion, and wisdom. The practice of paramitas is central to Mahayana Buddhism, deeply influencing its schools and philosophies and shaping the teachings found in its major sutras.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The ten paramitas include generosity, ethical conduct, patience, diligence, meditation, wisdom, skillful means, aspiration, power, and knowledge.
2. Practicing paramitas is seen as essential for anyone on the Bodhisattva path, helping them develop qualities that support both personal enlightenment and the enlightenment of others.
3. Different Mahayana schools may emphasize certain paramitas more than others, reflecting their unique philosophical orientations.
4. The teachings of major Mahayana sutras often illustrate how to cultivate paramitas through stories and examples from the lives of Bodhisattvas.
5. The perfection of paramitas is believed to accumulate merit, which aids in overcoming obstacles on the path to enlightenment.

Review Questions

• How do the paramitas serve as a guide for Bodhisattvas on their journey toward enlightenment?
  • The paramitas serve as a guide for Bodhisattvas by outlining essential virtues that they must cultivate to progress on their spiritual journey. Each paramita represents a quality that helps develop selflessness and compassion, crucial for aiding others in achieving enlightenment. By practicing these perfections, Bodhisattvas refine their character and enhance their ability to help all sentient beings.
• In what ways do different Mahayana schools interpret or emphasize certain paramitas over others?
  • Different Mahayana schools interpret or emphasize certain paramitas based on their unique philosophical perspectives and goals. For instance, some schools may focus more on wisdom as a key aspect of practice, while others might highlight compassion as essential for connecting with others. This variation allows each school to shape its teachings and practices around the qualities that best resonate with its followers.
• Evaluate the role of paramitas in major Mahayana sutras and how they contribute to the understanding of the Bodhisattva ideal.
  • In major Mahayana sutras, paramitas play a crucial role in illustrating the qualities necessary for realizing the Bodhisattva ideal. These texts often use stories and teachings that emphasize how cultivating each perfection leads to greater compassion and wisdom. This connection between paramitas and the Bodhisattva path enhances practitioners' understanding of their responsibilities to others while fostering personal growth towards enlightenment.

Related terms

Bodhisattva: A being who seeks enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings and vows to delay their own entry into Nirvana until all are liberated.

Mahayana: A major branch of Buddhism that emphasizes the path of the Bodhisattva and the practice of compassion and altruism.

Sutras: Scriptures or texts in Buddhism that record the teachings of the Buddha and other important figures in the tradition.