Significance of Perfection
Synonyms: Excellence, Ideal, Completeness, Superiority, Mastery, Refinement, Precision, Uttermost, Pinnacle, Sublimity, Supremacy
In French: Perfection; In Dutch: Perfectie; In Finnish: °Õä²â»å±ð±ô±ô¾±²õ²â²â²õ; In Spanish: ±Ê±ð°ù´Ú±ð³¦³¦¾±Ã³²Ô; In German: Perfektion; In Swedish: Fullkomlighet; In Malay: Kesempurnaan
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Perfection'
In Buddhism, Perfection embodies the cultivation of essential qualities like morality, wisdom, and loving-kindness, pursued by Bodhisattas on their path to enlightenment, ultimately leading to the realization of nirvana and comprehensive fulfillment.
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) Qualities or virtues that must be developed over time by a Bodhisatta in their journey to Buddhahood, including morality, wisdom, and loving-kindness.[1] (2) Qualities that future Buddhas fulfill over extensive periods to eventually attain enlightenment.[2] (3) The virtues and qualities that the Bodhisatta develops in his journey toward Enlightenment, including generosity, moral integrity, and energy.[3] (4) Qualities or virtues that Bodhisattas fulfill on their path to become Buddhas.[4] (5) The qualities cultivated by the Buddha over aeons, essential for following the Ariya Path towards enlightenment.[5]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) Qualities cultivated in the Buddhist path that lead to a higher understanding and attainment of enlightenment.[6] (2) Qualities cultivated to attain supreme enlightenment, with metta being one of them.[7] (3) The ultimate state achieved when one has transcended desires and attachments.[8]
From: Cetasikas
(1) The wholesome qualities developed by the Bodhisatta during his numerous lives leading to Buddhahood.[9]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) A term used to describe nirvana, highlighting the state of completeness and fulfillment it represents.[10] (2) Qualities or practices like morality, generosity, and compassion that serve as gates to deeper concentrations.[11]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) The state of genuine completeness or realization that can be achieved through the practice and cultivation discussed in the teachings.[12]
From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]
(1) Qualities such as generosity, morality, and insight that a bodhisattva practices and serves rather than being served by.[13]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) Attributes of completeness and excellence that are seen as ideals on the spiritual path, guiding practitioners toward liberation.[14]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) Perfections are the virtuous qualities that the Bodhisat cultivated, which he reflected on when facing Mara's army.[15]
Hindu concept of 'Perfection'
In Hinduism, Perfection is depicted as an ultimate state of mastery and spiritual realization achieved through dedicated practices, duty fulfillment, devotion to the Supreme, and mental discipline, leading to union with divine entities like Krishna and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) The state of spiritual realization or accomplishment that the yogi is asked about.[16] (2) A state of completeness or flawlessness associated with Lord Balarama's patala.[17] (3) The ultimate spiritual goal that is attained by following the prescribed practices as outlined in the text.[18]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) The various spiritual achievements or realizations that can be attained by devotees, particularly when visiting Shri Mathura.[19]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) The ultimate goal of spiritual practice, seeking complete union with, and realization of Krishna.[20]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) Contrasts the divine qualities of the Lord's message with the deficiencies that human efforts may present.[21]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) The state achieved when the Yogi successfully subdues hunger and thirst by applying the principles related to the throat-well.[22] (2) In the context of the text, refers to the attainments or achievements that result from yogic practices and mental discipline.[23] (3) An ultimate state of mastery or complete understanding that can be accomplished through practiced techniques like Samyama.[24]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)
(1) The state acquired by those who speak of or show reverence to Rama.[25]
From: Anugita (English translation)
(1) The ultimate state of attainment that Alarka sought through his practices, emphasized as the highest good.[26]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) The ultimate goal of spiritual pursuits, achieved through the correct performance of duties, sacrifices, and devotion to the Supreme.[27]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The ultimate goal of liberation and union with Brahman, free from the cycle of birth and death.[28]
From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra
(1) The state achieved by a religious student as a result of retaining knowledge, fulfilling the law, and embodying virtues such as uprightness and forgiveness.[29]
Jain concept of 'Perfection'
In Jainism, Perfection signifies the highest moral and spiritual realization, representing the ultimate aim of spiritual practice, where one achieves complete mindfulness and eliminates suffering through disciplined efforts, as pursued by great sages.
From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra
(1) The state that great sages seek to attain by eliminating all forms of misery through disciplined practices.[30] (2) The ultimate goal of spiritual practice, characterized by the absence of suffering and complete mindfulness.[31]
From: Sutrakritanga (English translation)
(1) The state of achieving the highest level of moral and spiritual realization.[32]
The concept of Perfection in local and regional sources
Perfection signifies the ultimate state of being, illustrating morality as evidence of our origins in perfection. It embodies an ideal of beauty and character, considered unattainable by humanity, ultimately representing the pursuit of divine unity with Brahman.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) Perfection is the state of being perfect, and the text says that morality is the proof that we have come from perfection.[33] (2) This is the ultimate goal, where an individual becomes one with Brahman, realizing the Lord as the absolute existence, knowledge, and bliss, and becoming divine.[34]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) An ideal representing ultimate beauty, thought, and character, noted as unattainable by mankind, leading to decay and destruction.[35]