Six paramitas

The six paramitas (S. ṣaṭpāramitā; T. pha rol tu phyin pa drug ཕ་རོལ་ཏུ་ཕྱིན་པ་དྲུག་) or six perfections present a gradual path in the training of a bodhisattva according to the Sanskrit tradition.

The six paramitas are:

1. dāna-pāramitā - an attitude of giving, based on nonattachment and the relinquishing of miserliness

2. śīla-pāramitā - skillful conduct, refraining from harm

3. kṣānti-pāramitā - forbearance, the ability not to be perturbed by anything

4. vīrya-pāramitā - joyous effort, to find joy in what is virtuous, positive or wholesome

5. dhyāna-pāramitā - meditative stability, not to be distracted

6. prajñā-pāramitā - discrimating wisdom, the perfect discrimination of phenomena

The first five paramitas correspond to the accumulation of merit (puṇya-saṃbhāra), and the sixth to the accumulation of wisdom (jñāna-saṃbhāra).

The sixth paramita can be further sub-divided into four parts, resulting in ten paramitas.

Traditional sources

Shantideva, the author of the Bodhisattvacaryavatara.

The six paramitas are described in many sources in the Sanskrit tradition, including the following.

Sutras

• Prajnaparamita Sutras
• Lotus Sutra
• Fortunate Aeon Sutra

Commentaries

Indian commentaries:

• Shantideva’s Bodhicharyavatara
• Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend
• Chandrakirti’s Introduction to the Middle Way

Further reading

• Dzogchen Ponlop, Rebel Buddha (Boston: Shambhala, 2010), pages 124-132.
• Geshe Sonam Rinchen, The Six Perfections, translated by Ruth Sonam (Ithaca: Snow Lion, 1998), ISBN 978-1559390897
• Khenpo Ngawang Pelzang, A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher (Boston & London: Shambhala, 2004), pages 181-219.
• Patrul Rinpoche, The Words of My Perfect Teacher (Boston: Shambhala, Revised edition, 1998), pages 234-261.
• Khenpo Kunpal, The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech, translated by Padmakara Translation Group. Published by Shambhala. ISBN 978-1-59030-439-6
• Khenpo Palden Sherab Rinpoche,Ceasless Echoes of the Great Silence, a Commentary on the Heart Sutra. Translated by Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche. Pages 81-96. Published by Sky Dancer Press. ISBN 1-880976-01-7

See also

• Ten paramitas

Videos

Search for videos:

• Search YouTube for: Six paramitas Buddhism

Selected videos:

• RINGU TULKU • BE THE CHANGE ... by practicing the 6 PARAMITAS

  Description: At his Spring Visit to BODHICHARYA BERLIN Ringu Tulku Rinpoche summerized the SIX PARAMITAS as the way to BE THE CHANGE in the context of his teachings on the DHAMMAPADA.

• WISDOM IN ACTION • 1 • "GIVING" • RINGU TULKU RINPOCHE • 6 PARAMITAS

  Description: A brief teaching by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche on the first of the six paramitas. Part of a set of six short videos.