Six paramitas: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Bodhisattva.JPG|frame|Bodhisattva sangha from the [[Longchen Nyingtik]] Field of Merit]]The '''six [[paramitas]]''' or 'transcendent perfections' ([[Wyl.]] ''pha rol tu phyin pa drug'') comprise the training of a [[bodhisattva]], which is [[bodhichitta in action]]. | [[Image:Bodhisattva.JPG|frame|Bodhisattva [[sangha]] from the [[Longchen Nyingtik]] Field of Merit]]The '''six [[paramitas]]''' or 'transcendent perfections' (Skt. ''ṣaṭpāramitā''; Tib. ''parol tu chinpa druk''; [[Wyl.]] ''pha rol tu phyin pa drug'') comprise the training of a [[bodhisattva]], which is [[bodhichitta in action]]. | ||
#[[Generosity]] (Skt. dāna; Tib. ''jinpa''): to cultivate the attitude of generosity. | #[[Generosity]] (Skt. ''dāna''; Tib. ''jinpa''): to cultivate the attitude of generosity. | ||
#[[Discipline]] (Skt. śīla; Tib. ''tsultrim''): refraining from harm. | #[[Discipline]] (Skt. ''śīla''; Tib. ''tsultrim''): refraining from harm. | ||
#[[Patience]] (Skt. kṣānti; Tib. ''zöpa''): the ability not to be perturbed by anything. | #[[Patience]] (Skt. ''kṣānti''; Tib. ''zöpa''): the ability not to be perturbed by anything. | ||
#[[Diligence]] (Skt. vīrya; Tib. ''tsöndrü''): to find joy in what is virtuous, positive or wholesome. | #[[Diligence]] (Skt. ''vīrya''; Tib. ''tsöndrü''): to find joy in what is virtuous, positive or wholesome. | ||
#[[Meditative concentration]] (Skt. dhyāna; Tib. ''samten''): not to be distracted. | #[[Meditative concentration]] (Skt. ''dhyāna''; Tib. ''samten''): not to be distracted. | ||
#[[Wisdom]] (Skt. prajñā; Tib. ''sherab''): the perfect discrimination of phenomena, all knowable things. | #[[Wisdom]] (Skt. ''prajñā''; Tib. ''sherab''): the perfect discrimination of phenomena, all knowable things. | ||
The first five paramitas correspond to the accumulation of '''[[merit]]''', and the sixth to the accumulation of '''wisdom'''. | The first five paramitas correspond to the accumulation of '''[[merit]]''', and the sixth to the accumulation of '''wisdom'''. | ||
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==Further Reading== | ==Further Reading== | ||
*Geshe Sonam Rinchen, ''The Six Perfections'', translated by Ruth Sonam | *Geshe Sonam Rinchen, ''The Six Perfections'', translated by Ruth Sonam (Ithaca: Snow Lion, 1998) | ||
*[[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. | |||
==Internal Links== | ==Internal Links== | ||
Revision as of 11:18, 28 September 2009
The six paramitas or 'transcendent perfections' (Skt. ṣaṭpāramitā; Tib. parol tu chinpa druk; Wyl. pha rol tu phyin pa drug) comprise the training of a bodhisattva, which is bodhichitta in action.
- Generosity (Skt. dāna; Tib. jinpa): to cultivate the attitude of generosity.
- Discipline (Skt. śīla; Tib. tsultrim): refraining from harm.
- Patience (Skt. kṣānti; Tib. zöpa): the ability not to be perturbed by anything.
- Diligence (Skt. vīrya; Tib. tsöndrü): to find joy in what is virtuous, positive or wholesome.
- Meditative concentration (Skt. dhyāna; Tib. samten): not to be distracted.
- Wisdom (Skt. prajñā; Tib. sherab): the perfect discrimination of phenomena, all knowable things.
The first five paramitas correspond to the accumulation of merit, and the sixth to the accumulation of wisdom.
Written Sources
The six paramitas are mentioned and explained in many of the most important Indian sources, such as Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend, Chandrakirti’s Introduction to the Middle Way and Shantideva’s Bodhicharyavatara.
Further Reading
- Geshe Sonam Rinchen, The Six Perfections, translated by Ruth Sonam (Ithaca: Snow Lion, 1998)
- 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.