paramitas

Paramita, from Sanskrit pāramitā meaning “perfection” or “transcendent virtue,” refers to spiritual qualities that a bodhisattva cultivates to attain enlightenment and to help all beings. The concept is central in Mahayana Buddhism and appears in various sutras and commentaries, emphasizing the refinement of conduct, wisdom, and compassion on the path to awakening.

The Six Paramitas are the most commonly cited in early Mahayana sources: dāna (generosity), śīla (ethical conduct), kṣānti (patience), vīrya (energy or zeal), dhyāna (meditative concentration), and prajñā (wisdom). These are presented as interdependent virtues that sustain moral discipline, persistent effort, calm focus, and insightful understandings of reality.

Many Mahayana traditions also enumerate ten paramitas by adding further qualities to the core six. Common additions include upāya-kaushalya (skillful means), praṇidhāna (aspiration or vow), bala (power), and jñāna (knowledge). The exact list and phrasing vary by text and school, but the aim remains the same: cultivating a broad set of abilities that enable compassionate activity and ultimate wisdom.

In practice, the paramitas are seen as practical disciplines rather than mere ideals. They guide ethical behavior, mental training, and the development of wisdom, with the ultimate goal of benefiting sentient beings and realizing Buddhahood. The framework is used across traditions to structure the bodhisattva path, blending compassionate action with deepest insight.