Six paramitas

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The six paramitas or 'transcendent perfections' comprise the training of a bodhisattva, which is bodhichitta in action.

  1. Generosity (Tib. jinpa): to cultivate the attitude of generosity.
  2. Discipline (Tib. tsultrim): refraining from harm.
  3. Patience (Tib. zöpa): the ability not to be perturbed by anything.
  4. Diligence (Tib. tsöndrü): to find joy in what is virtuous, positive or wholesome.
  5. Concentration (Tib. samten): not to be distracted.
  6. Wisdom (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.