Bodhological Development 2007

Explain the Paramitas of Theravada and Mahayana and clarify its value of fulfillment in order for the enlightenment of the Buddha.

The term “paramita” comes from the word “parama” which means “great or highest”. Here when one achieves the greatness of fulfillment that is paramis. On the other hand, paramita means completed perfection or goes beyond the end. Therefore the Buddhavamsa mentioned paramitas as the “ buddhakare dhamme” which means Buddhakaraka dhamma.

Performing of Paramita is one of the ways one has to practice long period of time in order to become a Buddha. They are not only the practices to attain enlightenment but also ethically valuable for those who follow them. Fulfillment of Paramitas is necessary component for the enlightenment. It is the conduct of the Bodhisattva in both traditions, Theravada and Mahayana. There is no Bodhisattva ideal apart from Paramitas. Here I will clarify paramita both in Theravada and Mahayana.

According to Theravada tradition, there are ten paramitas. These Paramitas have been explained in the Buddhavamsa and cariyapitaka. The ten paramitas are, dana, sila, nekkhama, panna, viriya, khandi, sacca, adhitthana, metta, and upekkha.

These paramitas divided into three categories of fulifillment. They are paramitas, upparamitas and paramatthaparamitas. In this manner, these ten paramitas will be 30 according to the decrees of the practice accordingly.

In this case, (1) danaparamita give away external possession is danaparamitas, (2) giving one limps danaupparamita, (3) giving away one’s life is danaparamatthaparamita.

In the case of Danaparamita, it is not only give things away but we should be able to give life, and should be able to give away his wife and children too. Silapaaramita is like Camaramiko who protected its tail than his life. The Bodhisatta should protect sila. Because Sila is the foundation for one in order to achieve perfection. This sila is divided into four as follows:

Patimokkasanvara Sila, Indriyasamvara Sila Ajiva parisuddhi Sila, Paccayasannissita Sila

At the same time, in Mahayana there mentions only 6 paramitas as follows: Dana, Sila, Ksanti, Virya, Dhyana, Prajna and wisdom

These Paramittas are the ethical codes of individual as well as society. When these are put into practice, it enables one to be ethically noble and attain enlightenment. All these Paramitas should be practiced together for the attaining of Enlightenment. Therefore they are helpful to the one (Bodhisattva) wanting to become a Buddha. In the Bodhisattva practice, both these are combined into one. Thus the 6 paramitas make for the gradual stages in the path of Bodhisattva.

These paramitas are formed by combining the practices meant for clergy and laity. For example, those who follow the Noble Eight-fold Path strictly proceeded along the three-fold training (Sila, Samadhi and Prajna). Har Dayal in this context tries to see a gradual growth of the doctrine of Paramitas out of the three fundamental steps: namely Sila, Samadhi and PaGGA, which one must follow in order to attain the final goal, Nibbana.

According to Jataka stories, the Mahabodhitsattva had to fulfill Paramitas for about four Asankhaya and one hundred thousand kalpas in order to become the Buddha.

In summary, Paramitas are essentially significant for anyone and are common to both traditions, Mahayana and Theravada, they are of great use for one on the way to attain the highest emancipation free from the bondages.

[527]