A TREATISE ON THE PARAMIS – CHAPTER I & II & III
Chapter I – What are the Paramis?
The paramis are the noble qualities such as giving, etc., accompanied by compassion and skilful means, and untainted by craving, conceit, and views.[1]
Chapter II – In What Sense Are They Called “paramis”?
The bodhisattvas, the great beings, are supreme (parama), since they are the highest of beings by reason of their distinguished qualities such as giving, virtue, etc. The paramis — the activities of giving, etc. — are their character or their conduct. Or else: he excels, thus he is supreme (parati ti paramo). The bodhisattva is the fulfiller and guardian of the noble qualities such as giving, etc.; that which belongs to the supreme — the character or conduct of the one who is supreme (i.e. of the bodhisattva) — is a parami, i.e. the activities of giving, etc.
Chapter III: How Many Are There?In brief there are ten. These have come down in the texts in their specific character. As it is said:
“How many qualities are there, Lord, issuing in Buddhahood?” “There are, Sariputta, ten qualities issuing in Buddhahood. What are the ten? Giving, Sariputta, is a quality issuing in Buddhahood. Virtue, renunciation, wisdom, energy, patience, truthfulness, determination, loving-kindness, and equanimity are qualities issuing in Buddhahood.”[2]
But some say there are six. This is said by way of their synthesis, which we will explain below (section xii).
[1]: Tanhamanaditthihi anupahata karunupayakosallapariggahita danadayo gund pdramiyo.
[2]” In Pali: dana, sila, nekkhamma, paned, viriya, khanti, sacca, adhitthana, mend, upekkha. The passage is untraced, but see Buddhavamsa 1, v.76.
