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Dasa Pāramī (Ten perfections)
(An assignment)
Subject: Buddhist Doctrines on Suttanta
Pi'aka.
Lecturer: Phra Medhiratanadilok
Mahachulalongkornrajvidyalaya University,
IMAP, Bangkok, Thailand. 2552/2009
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Preface[1]
Buddhism was born in India in the 6th
century B.C.Buddhism is the teachings or
doctrines of the Buddha. The45 years teachings of the Buddha were compiled as a
“Tipi"ka”, based on the idea of early Buddhist canonical
andmethodological references after the passing away of the Buddha. In fact, the
Tipi"aka is the canonical texts of Theravāda Buddhism, which was compiled
during “5th century
B.C to1st century
B.C.”1that
we know from various sourcesespecially from sa*gītis or Buddhist councils. The
texts of Tipi"aka contains 84,000 textual units teachings (Dhammakkhanda),
of which 21,000 units belong to the Vinaya Pitaka 21,000 units to the Suttanta Pitakaand
the remaining 42,000 units to the Abhidhamma PitakaThis work “Dasa
paramita or ten perfections” we find inthe doctrines of suttanta pitaka 11,000 (the
basket of discourses),the second part of Tipitaka.
We, the students of IMAP (2nd year, 1st semester,
classIX) were expected to choose our preferable topic on suttanta pitaka, and
I’ve picked this topic Dasa paramita(ten
Perfections) in Theravada Buddhism which bears a most importance
to the Buddha and his followers as well. Here, I tried to give an account and
various viewpoints on the topic. In the end, I would like to convey my regards
and gratefulness to Achan Phra Medhiratanadilok, for his cordialguidance to
us.Ven. Shyamanta BaruaWat Triratanaram,Dated: 20th
July, 2009 RamInthra-8, Bangkok-10220.1.
Biswanath Bondopadyai, Pali o Prakrit
sahityer Itihas, (Bengali version)
Sarswata Library, Calcutta, 1972. See pg.
17.
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Introduction:
In Theravādin and Mahāyanic Buddhism there are Pāramīs and it is
very important not only for Two Buddhist schools but also other religions if they
want to practice them. Pāramīs lead one nearer and nearer to Nibbāna. As we
know from all the past Bodhisattvas, everyone wanting to become a
Fully-Enlightened One must follow the Ten Pāramis according to their
temperaments-Pannāpāramī,
Saddāparamī, and Viriyāpāramī. A real Bodhisattva who follows
Pannāpāramī must practice throughout four as Dkkheyyas and one hundred thousand
world cycles. A real Bodhisattva who follows Saddāpāramī must spend eight as Dkkheyyas
and one hundred thousand world cycles. And a real Bodhisattva who follows
Viriyāparamī must be practiced sixteen as Dkkheyyas and one hundred thousand world
cycles. In the present time Gotama the Buddha also had performed these Ten
Pāramīs through four as Dkkheyyas and one hundred thousand world cycles until he
became the Fully-Enlightened One. Therefore, every Bodhisattva who wants to
become a Fully-Enlightened One in the future must practice the Ten Pāramīs at
least four asaDkkheyyas and one hundred thousand world cycles.2 The term Pāramitā or Pāramī (Sanskrit and
Pāli respectively) means "Perfect" or "Perfection". In
Buddhism, the Paramitas refer to the perfection or culmination of certain
virtues. In Buddhism, these virtues are cultivated as a way of purification,
purifying karma and helping the aspirant to live an unobstructed life, while
reaching the goal of Enlightenment. The Theravadin teachings on pAramitas can be found in canonical books (Jataka, Apadana,
Buddhavamsa, Cariyapitaka) and post-canonical commentaries which were added to
the Pali Canon at a later time, and thus they arenot an original part of the
Theravadin teachings. The oldest parts of the Sutta Pitaka.
2. The Ascetic Sumedhā' s Life, and the
Ten Perfections,Bhikkhu Giac-Hanh Dhammadhara, Sri Lanka, 2003
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(For example, Majjhima Nikaya, Digha Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya and
the Anguttara Nikaya) do not have any mention of the paramitas. Some scholars
even refer to the teachings of the pAramitas
as a semi-Mahayana teaching which was 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. Bodhi (2005) maintains that, in the earliest
Buddhist texts (which he identifies as the first four nikayas), those seeking
suffering's extinction (nibbana) pursued the Noble Eightfold Path. As time went
on, a backstory was provided for the multi-life development of the Buddha; as a
result,the ten perfections were identified as part of the path for the Buddha-to-be
(Pali: Bodhisattva; Sanskrit: bodhisattva).
Over subsequent centuries, the paramis were seen as being significant
to both aspirants of Buddhahood and of arahantship. Thus, Bodhi (2005)
summarizes: "It should be noted that in established Theravāda tradition
the pāramīs are not regarded as a discipline peculiar to candidates for
Buddhahood alone but as
Practices which must be fulfilled by all aspirants to enlightenment
and deliverance, whether as Buddhas, paccekabuddhas, or disciples. What
distinguish the
Supreme bodhisattvas from aspirants in the other two vehicles are
the degree to which the pāramīs must be cultivated and the length of time they
must be pursued. But the qualities themselves are universal requisites for deliverance,
which all must fulfill to at least a minimal degree to merit the fruits of the
liberating path."3 Pāramīs
are Perfections of the character. A group of ten qualities developed over many
lifetimes by a bodhisattva, Which appear as a group in the Pali canon only in
the Jataka ("Birth Stories"): 3.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 5 generosity (dana), virtue (sila), renunciation (nekkhamma), discernment (panna), energy/persistence
(viriya),patience/forbearance (khanti), truthfulness (sacca), determination
(adhitthana), good will (metta), and equanimity (upekkha).4 In Mahāyāna Buddhism a ‘perfection’ or
virtuous quality practiced by a Bodhisattva in the course of his spiritual
development. Apparently related to the ten pāramīs
of early Buddhism, an original list of six Mahāyāna perfections
was eventually increased to ten to complement the ten stages or levels (bhūmi)
of a Bodhisattva's career.5Pāramīs
"Perfections": According to the Theravāda Tradition there are Ten
kinds of Pāramīs.In the Pali Canon's Buddhavamsa, the Ten Perfections
(dasa pāramiyo) are (original terms in Pali):
1.
Dāna parami : generosity, giving of oneself
2.
Sīla parami : virtue, morality, proper conduct
3.
Nekkhamma parami : renunciation
4.
Pannā parami : transcendental wisdom, insight
5.
Viriya (also spelt vīriya) parami : energy, diligence,
vigour,
effort
6.
Khanti parami : patience, tolerance, forbearance,
acceptance,
endurance
7.
Sacca parami : truthfulness, honesty
8.
Adhi##hāna (adhitthana) parami : determination,
resolution
9.
Mettā parami : loving-kindness
10.
Upekkhā (also spelt upekhā) parami : equanimity,
Serenity
These are the Ten PAramīs in the Theravada Tradition of Buddhism, which Lord
Buddha had fulfilled through four asaDkkheyyas and one hundred thousand world
cycles
4.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/glossary.html
5. http://www.answers.com/topic/paramita
6(cattariī
asaDkkheyyāni kappasatasahassaDca.)
In
order to become a fully - Enlightened One.6 These paramis are divided into three parts. They are,
namely;
-
Cūla-pāramī: minor perfection,
-
Upa-pāramī: middle perfection,
-
Paramatha-pāramī: major perfection.
One
who has performed the above perfections by sacrificing the external properties,
such as money, silver, gold, clothes,house, medicine, food and so on is has
achieved minor perfection (cūla-pāramī).
1
- Dāna-parami: the fulfillment of the perfection of Charity
or
generosity (dāna) In this case, firstly the boddhisatta fulfilled the perfection
of Charity (dāna) by giving away his own properties. It means he gave both
animate and inanimate properties to others with a willing mind. By the
fulfillment of his charity perfection (dāna-pāramī), he (the Bodhisattva) did
not wish to gain worldly pleasures, but in order to attain Supreme
Enlightenment. According to the Buddhava*sa Atthakatha or Jataka he fulfilled
the charity perfection
(dāna-pāramī)
in many existences. Among them, the lives of King Sivi and the king Vessantarā
are very famous and wellknown.
2
- Sīla-pāramī: the fulfillment of the perfection of Morality
(sīla)
Controlling
the verbal actions and bodily actions due
to
avoid unwholesome deeds is called morality (sīla).
According
to the Buddhist tradition there are different kinds
of
morality (sīla), and the people who observe them are also
different.
There are five precepts or eight precepts or nine
precepts
for lay devotees, and ten precepts for novices, and
two
hundred twenty seven precepts for Buddhist monks,
etc.
6.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Bodhisattva fulfilled his morality perfection (sīlapāramī) in
his many existences. We can say that he fulfilled the morality of perfection
through four asaDkkheyyas and one hundred thousand world cycles (cattarī
asaDkkheyyāni
kappasatasahassanca.) There is a very famous story of Prince
Alīnasattu who fulfilled the perfection of morality.
3 - Nekkhamma-pāramī: the fulfillment of the perfection of Renunciation
Practicing an ascetic life and abandoning worldly sensual pleasure is called
the fulfillment of the perfection of renunciation. For Bodhisattva left a
golden throne many times in his past existences. When the Bodhisattva was a King
Sutasoma (Jataka No.525.Vol 6), he left his golden throne and dear Queen, as
well as dear sons and daughters, to become an ascetic.
4- Pannā-pāramī: the fulfillment of the perfection of the
Wisdom (pannā) Pannā' is the pāli word meaning 'Wisdom',
and'wisdom' means the knowledge in some aspects such as the knowledge of arts,
knowledge of sciences, knowledge of philosophy, etc., knowledge here is meaning
the skill in both practicing and theories which can differentiate the cause and
result or cause and effect. There are seven ways of developing wisdom:
1- Asking questions to the wise frequently,
2- Keeping one's mind and one's body clean,
3- Being balanced in faith, effort, etc.,
4- Disassociating with the unwise or fools,
5- Associating with the wise or sage,
6- Pondering deeply on difficult problems or matter,
7- Often desiring for the wisdom wherever lying down, sitting,
standing or walking. That wisdom is of three kinds:
- Sutamaya-pannā: the wisdom obtained from hearing,
- Cintāmaya-pannā: the wisdom obtained from thinking,
8 - Bhāvanāmaya-pannā: the wisdom obtained from Jhāna
and phala.
5 - Vīriya-pāramī: the fulfillment of the perfection of Effort (vīriya)
The Bodhisattva, in fulfilling the perfection of Effort, tried all his best,
risked his own body such that the blood and flesh dried up and only sinews,
bones, and skin
remained. Therefore, in the Cp A 274 it is said that energy
(vīriya) is the highest effort (uttama* padhāna*), because it is able to bring
one to Supreme Enlightenment (sammāsabodhim pāpetum samatthatāya). "U##hānena
ppamādena sa+yamena damena ca Dipa+ kayirātha medhāvī Ya+ ogho
nābhikirati." "By sustained effort, earnestness, discipline, and
selfcontrol let the wise man make for himself an island, which no flood
overwhelms." (Dhp.V 25. Ch2. Pg 27)
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- Khantī-pāramī: the fulfillment of the perfection of the Patience (khanti)
Tolerance
and forbearance arise out of a peaceful mind with the thought: “If I retaliate
to the ill-treatment done to me by a stupid person, I shall also be a stupid
one."
"Nahiverena
verāni
sammanti'dha
kudācanca+
Averenacasammanti
Esa
dhammo sanatano."
"Hatred
never ceases through hatred in this world;
Through
love alone it ceases. This is an eternal law." ---
Dhp.V.5.
Ch1. Pg 8
Such
kind of practice is called the fulfillment of the
perfection
of Patience.
7-
Saccā-pāramī: the fulfillment of the perfection of
Truthfulness
(sacca)
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Not
telling a lie only telling the truth and always
keeping
one's promise is called the perfection of
truthfulness
(saccā-pāramī). Especially, the Bodhisattva
never
told lies; he always kept his words as he promised
others
and he did as he said in order to fulfill the perfection
of
the truthfulness. The Bodhisattva had fulfilled the
perfection
of truthfulness for four asaDkkheyas and one
hundred
thousand world cycles (cattarī asaDkkheyyāni
kappasatasahassanca.)
Bv.2
The
life of the Bodhisattva as King Mahāsutasoma is
remarkable
in the fulfillment of the perfection of
truthfulness
(saccā-pāramī), (Mahāsutasoma
Jātaka.No537.Vol.6).
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- Adi''hāna-pāramī: the fulfillment of the perfection of
Resolution
(adi""hāna)
Adi""hāna
is a pāli word, meaning "firm determination"
or
"solemn resolution" to perform good deeds that have
already
been planned to be done. The one who always keeps
adi""hāna
focuses on the plan by which he wants to do it.
The
Bodhisattva, in his many past existences, fulfilled the
perfection
of resolution. It is obvious that the Bodhisattva
fulfilled
the perfection of resolution in the life of Prince
Temiya.
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- Mettā-pāramī: the fulfillment of the perfection of Lovingkindness
(Mettā)
Mettā
is a pāli word, it means "loving-kindness," or
having
the desire to bring about the welfare of others. It is
different
from the love with attachment such as the love
between
men and women (Tanhā-pema), a husband and
wife,
parents and children, and so on. Loving-kindness has
the
nature of pure and noble will (adosa), and it is also
called
the sublime state of mind (Brahmavihāra). One who
can
cultivate loving - kindness is said to be living in the
sublime
abode.
10
- Upekkhā-pāramī: the fulfillment of the perfection of
the
Equanimity (Upekkha).
10
'Upekkhā'
is a pāli word meaning "equanimity" or
"equilibrium"
of the mind. It means maintaining a neutral
attitude
towards pleasant and unpleasant things without
bias
towards either of them, and not having a bias on
account
of hatred or love. So, upekkhā-pāramī is the
perfection
to be fulfilled with a balanced attitude without
leaning
towards the extremes of love and hatred. The
Bodhisattva
fulfilled the perfection of equanimity or
equilibrium
by maintaining a neutral attitude towards such
feelings
as love, hatred, happiness or unhappiness, which
arise
in the mind. Especially, Bodhisattva Lomahamsa was
very
famous in his fulfillment of the perfection of equanimity
or
equilibrium (Lomaha*sa Jātaka No. 94.Vol. 1).
Conclusion:
Now
we noticed that In accordance with the tradition
of
the Buddhas, the Bodhisattva Sumedha made a solemn
pledge
(abhinihara-karana or mulanidhana) before
Dipankara
Buddha for the welfare and liberation of all
creatures.
(A Bodhisattva is an aspirant of the bodhi or
Enlightenment).
The latter then approved of the pledge
(abhinihara)
by the declaration (vyakarana) that ‘this
Bodhisattva
shall become a Buddha’. The Bodhisattva then
sought
to develop the unique qualities of the Buddhahood
(Buddhakarakadhamma)
by way of ten perfections (dasaparami).
His
struggle for those perfections are well
exemplified
in Ekaraja, Khantivadi, ChullaSankhapala,
MahaJanaka,
Mahasutasoma, Mugapakkha, Lomahamsa,
Sattubhattaka,
Sasa and Sutasoma Jatakas.
The
Ten Pāramīs are priceless Gems in the treasury of
Buddhism,
which all Sammāsambuddhas,
Paccekabuddhas,
and Sāvakas have to tread on. Buddhism
has
offered these Gems to humankind as a spiritual gift to
lead
people to Nibbāna (Deathlessness) because, their
function
is to help people eliminating greed (lobha), hatred
(dosa),
and delusion (moha) as well as creating a peaceful
world
in which living beings are dwelling. Those who have
trodden
on this journey must abandon their own happiness
and
devote their life to the welfare and happiness of living
beings
and gods.
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Contemplation
of the Ten Perfecting Qualities (Dasa Pāramī)
1.
May I be generous and helpful (dana parami)!
2.
May I be pure, virtuous and well-disciplined (sila
parami)!
3.
May I not be selfish and self-possessive but selfless
and
self-sacrificing (nekkhamma parami)!
4.
May I be wise and be able to give the benefit of my
knowledge
to others (panna parami)!
5.
May I be strenuous, energetic, and persevering (viriya
parami)!
6.
May I be patient! May I be able to bear and forbear
the
wrongs of others (khanti parami)!
7.
May I be honest and truthful (sacca parami)!
8.
May I be firm and resolute (adhitthana parami)!
9.
May I be kind, compassionate and friendly (metta
parami)!
10.
May I be humble, calm, quiet, unruffled and serene
(upekkha
parami)!
References:
_ P.A. Payutto, Dictionary of
Buddhism
_ Biswanath Bondopadyai,Pali o
Prakritsahityer Itihas, (Bengali
version),Calcutta, 1972.See pg.
17.
_ www.buddhasasana.com
_ The Ascetic Sumedhā' s Life,
and the Ten Perfections,Bhikkhu
Giac-Hanh Dhammadhara, Sri Lanka,
2003
_
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramita
_
http://www.answers.com/topic/paramita
_ http://www.ignca.nic.in/jatak072.htm
_
http://www.hermetica.info/Buddha2a.htm
_
http://www.thisismyanmar.com/nibbana/nubudhi2.htm
_ http://www.accesstoinsight.org/glossary.html
[1] Biswanath
Bondopadyai, Pali o Prakrit sahityer Itihas, (Bengali version)
Sarswata Library, Calcutta, 1972. See pg.
17.
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