Human Development
Paramita
Description:
Originally six transcendent virtues were delineated which a [bodhisattva] must perfect in his path of enlightenment. Each is related to freedom from separate self-hood. Subsequently an additional four were added. The first six are: [dana] (giving); [sila] (morality or discipline); [ksanti] (patience, tolerance); [virya] (bravery, vigour); [dhyana] (meditation); [prajna] (essential wisdom). This latter is considered the culmination of the other five in Zen teaching. The additional four are: [upaya kausala] (right means); [pranidhana] (resolute vow); [bala] (the ten powers manifested); [jnana] (knowledge of the dharma). The [paramita] are related to the ten stages or lands on the meditation way of the [bodhisattvas] of Tibetan Buddhism and to the four [Brahma-vihara] - divine states or dwellings - of the [Hinayana] path. In Zen teaching, the first five perfections of mind, heart and will are possessed by the mature or perfect mind ready then to achieve [prajna] or great perfection, [maha paramita].Narrower:
DanaViryaKshantiObserving moral precepts