Paramita, , ٲ: 23 definitions
Introduction:
Paramita means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
Alternative spellings of this word include Permit.
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In Hinduism
Kavya (poetry)
: archive.org: Naisadhacarita of Sriharsa(पारमित�) (in Բ) refers to “perfection in charity�, and is mentioned in the Naiṣadha-carita 5.11.—[...] Dāna is a Buddhist term. It is one of the cardinal virtues or s of the Buddhists. Cf. Bodhicaryāvatārapañjikā, p. 347. The Kathāsaritsāgara (Taraṅga 72) illustrates six s (Բ, śī, ṣa, dhairya, Բ and ñ) by means of suitable stories. The s are illustrated in a similar fashion in Kṣemendra’s Bṛhatkathāmañjarī 9.1.496ff. Cf. also Mattavilāsaprahasana (T.S.S.).

Kavya (काव्�, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry� and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry�.
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
: Access to Insight: A Glossary of Pali and Buddhist TermsPerfection of the character. A group of ten qualities developed over many lifetimes by a bodhisatta, which appear as a group in the Pali canon only in the Jataka ("Birth Stories"): generosity (dana), virtue (sila), renunciation (nekkhamma), discernment (panna), energy/persistence (viriya), patience/forbearance (khanti), truthfulness (sacca), determination (adhitthana), good will (metta), equanimity (upekkha).: Dhamma Dana: Pali English GlossaryF (Noble practice, noble accomplishment). Positive action by means of the body, speech or the mind, which is motivated by a will to progress on the path to perfection, the path of dhamma.
Only when the development of the paramis reaches the peak of its maturity can nibbana be experienced. There are 10 paramis:
- dana parami: Forsaking ones goods and possessions (animals or non living objects) by making gifts.
- sila parami: Control of ones actions and speeches in order to refrain from evil actions.
- nekkhamma parami: Renouncement of the life of the laity to the sake of a solitary life (bhikkhu, ermite).
- panna parami: Development of knowledge and understanding through study and analytical reflection. Imparting knowledge to others. Making use of ones wisdom so as to take the highest benefits from it.
- viriya parami: Effort to do good to others as much as possible and to the peril ones life.
- khanti parami: Establishment of an always perfect tolerance, whatever, on others behalf, performed actions and uttered speeches might be.
- sacca parami: Truthfulness (to tell only what is fair).
- adhitthana parami: Decision to solely perform beneficial actions and to stick to them.
- metta parami: Cultivation of a state of mind turned towards others happiness, to practice love towards all beings.
- upekkha parami: Rejection of hatred and adoration. Not to stick to an idea in particular. Keeping ones mind even minded.
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist Iconography(पारमित�) refers to “perfections�.—These are certain cardinal human virtues carried to perfection in one birth. It is said that Lord Buddha in each of his previous births practised one or another of the virtues and carried it to perfection, and because of that he obtained enlightenment in his last birth. These are usually ten in number, but the Vajrayānists raised the number to twelve. In Vajrayāna the craze for deificatian led to the conception of the Twelve goddesses in human form, for the purpose of worship. [...] In the ٳܱ岵īś-ṇḍ of the Niṣpannayogāvalī an account of the iconography of the Twelve deities is given. Such a description of all the goddesses cannot be met with in any other published literature on Buddhism. The twelve deities collectively have their spiritual father in Ratnasambhava.

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (Բ) are collected indepently.
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā(पारमित�) refers to �(the aspects of) perfection�, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “Son of good family, these are eight pure vigours of bodhisatvas. What are the eight? To wit, (1) vigour to adorn his body but the body is not the objective support since it is distinguished as a reflection; (2) vigour to accomplish proper speech although the speech cannot be perceived since it is distinguished as voidness; (3) vigour to put the thought into the state of concentration although the thought is not the objective support since it is imagined by the true state of thought; (4) vigour to attain all aspects of perfection () although they cannot be perceived since they are imagined by the true nature of dharma () which is the extinction of the continuous succession of thought (ٳٲ貹ṃp); [...]�.

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many ūٰ of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñā ūٰ.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: BuddhismParamita:—These are practices performed by Bodhisattvas, they are usually listed as the six paramitas, but often the list is expanded to ten. They are: charity, keeping the precepts, forbearance, diligence in practice, meditation, wisdom, to be able to teach by the use of expedient means, keeping your vows, knowledge, and the development of spiritual power.
: Buddhist Door: GlossaryThe Six Paramita or means of so doings are:�
- dana - charity/giving;
- sila - moral/conduct/taking precepts;
- ksanti - patience;
- virya - vigor/devotion/energy;
- dhyana - contemplation/meditation;
- prajna - wisdom.
The Ten Paramita are the above plus
- upaya - use of expedient or proper means;
- pranidhana - vow of bodhi and helpfulness;
- bala - strength;
- intelligence.
Childers gives the list of ten as the perfect exercise of * charity/almsgiving, * morality, * renunciation, * wisdom, * energy/effort, * patience, * truth, * resolution/determination, * kindness/universal love and * resignation/equanimity. Each of the ten is divided into ordinary, superior and unlimited perfection, making up to thirty in total.
: Shambala Publications: GeneralSkt., lit., “that which has reached the other shore,� the transcendental. The , generally translated as “the perfections,� are the virtues perfected by a bodhisattva in the course of his or her development.
There are six of these:
- Բ- (generosity),
- shīla- (discipline),
- kshānti- (patience),
- īⲹ- (energy of exertion),
- Բ- (meditation),
- ñ- (wisdom).
Frequently four further virtues are added, which were accepted into the canon later:
- upāya-kaushala- (right method or means),
- pranidhāna- (vow),
- bala- (manifestation of the ten powers, dashabala),
- jñāna- (knowledge of the true definitions of all dharmas).
, (i or ī [i, ī, ]) transcendental virtues or perfections. Pāram means beyond. It means to go, to go to the other shore, that is, to go beyond the realm of saṃsāra. The term i is used to denote the virtues to be practised by a Bodhisattva in order to attain the Buddhahood. The following virtues are known as ṣa� -s, or six virtues. They are explained by the Buddha in the Vajracchedikā Prajñā Sūtra, to Subhūti and the other monks in an assembly.
- charity (Բ),
- morality (śī),
- forbearance (ṣānپ),
- energy (īⲹ),
- meditation (Բ), and
- wisdom (ñ).
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary: (f.) completeness; perfection.
: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary, (f.) (ī+tā)=ī Nett 87. (Page 454)

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Marathi-English dictionary
: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryparamīta (परमी�).—f n (Corr. from parimiti) Measure, magnitude, determined quantity.
: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishparamīta (परमी�).�f n Measure, magnitude.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryٲ (पारमित).�a.
1) Gone to the opposite bank or side.
2) Crossed, traversed.
3) Transcendent.
-tā 1 Complete attainment, perfection. Ks.-Taraṅga 72.362 illustrates six ٲs दा�, शी�, क्षम�, धैर्�, ध्या� (Բ, śī, ṣa, dhairya, Բ) and प्रज्ञ� (ñ) by suitable stories; B�. Kath.9.1.496; cf. दानपारमिता (Բ) 'perfection in charity' दानपारमितयैव वदान्यान� (Բitayaiva vadānyān) N.5.11; नूनमेव� बुद्धेनापि दानपारमिता पूरिता (nūnameva� buddhenāpi Բ pūritā) (mattavilāsa prahasana).
2) Transcendental virtue.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary(पारमित�).�(= Pali id., to prec. plus -tā; in Pali synonym of ī or °mi in all respects), (1) = prec., mastcry, supremacy, perfection, in general sense, [compound] with preceding attribute indicating the field of mastery: garbhāvakrānti-°tā Ѳ屹ٳ i.214.12 = ii.17.11, supremacy (supremeness, perfection) as regards entry into the womb; sarvakuśaladharma-vaśibhāva-°tā� Ѳ屹ٳ ii.261.7; jina-°tāve 402.22 (of the Jinas); uttama-damatha-śamatha-°tā-prāpta Ѳ屹ٳ iii.64.6 (compare i.237.12 s.v. i); sarvacetovaśi-(see vaśin)-parama-°tā-prāpta Lalitavistara 425.22 (prose); in Lalitavistara 376.18 (verse), read probably daśabalaguṇa-ita-(m.c. for °tā, which all mss. read; Lefm. em. °mi-)-prāpta�; possibly to be classed with (2) below are mahopāyakauśalya- jñāna-(29.10 adds darśana-)-parama-°tā-prāpta ṇḍī첹 29.10; 77.8 (both prose); (2) one or more of a technical list of (usually six, sometimes ten, rarely five or seven) supreme virtues, of Buddhas, or (to be cultivated by) Bodhisattvas; usually rendered perfection; Burnouf, Lotus 544 (App. VII deals with this category) vertu transcendante; the lit. meaning was surely supremacy: (five) ṇḍī첹 334.2 °tā� pañca (and pañca is v.l. for ṣa� ca ṇḍī첹 142.7); pañcasu °tāsu ṇḍī첹 332.10 (prose), listed in the following as Բ, śī, ṣānپ, īⲹ, Բ; but a sixth, ñ-p°, is separately mentioned after the list in 333.1; (six) listed, as just cited from ṇḍī첹 332.10 ff., ٳṃg 17 (compare 18 cited below); Ѳ屹ٳ iii.226.2 ff.; DivyāvaԲ 476.2 ff.; ǻٳٱū 4.13 ff.; 58.16 f.; ṅk屹-ūٰ 237.6; Asaṅga (Mahāyāna-sūtrālaṃkāra) xvi.2 and 3, commentary; described in brief statements Śṣāsܳⲹ 187.5�15; in ṇḍū 50.16 ff. with substitution of dhairya for īⲹ; without listing, but with number 6, ṇḍī첹 17.15; 142.7 (v.l. pañca, above); 256.10; 259.3; 262.1; 264.10; DivyāvaԲ 95.19; 265.2; 490.16, [Page342-a+ 71] 18 AvaԲ-śataka i.7.4; 16.13; ܱṇadzٳٲūٰ 37.13; 42.7; ṣṭ貹ṛc 21.7; (seven) the above six plus upayakauśalya-(Lalitavistara mahopā° and adds parama-)-paramitā ṇḍī첹 457.11�12; Lalitavistara 8.2�3; also Lalitavistara 34.20 ff. (with upāyakauśala�); (ten,) the above seven (with upāya for upāyakauśalya in Ѳ屹ܳٱ貹ٳپ, ٳṃg ڳܱⲹ�, nom.!], Ҳṇḍū) plus praṇidhāna (ٳṃg praṇidhi), bala, jñāna, Ѳ屹ܳٱ貹ٳپ 913�923; ٳṃg 18 (immediately after 17 which lists the six); ǻٳٱū 371 5 ff.; and in Ҳṇḍū 295.10�25 where, curiously, the same list is given but called mahā- vitānadharma, q.v., instead of ; in Pali, be it noted, the list is (so far as has been recorded) always ten in number, but not quite the same as in [Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit]: Բ, sīla, nekkhamma, paññā, viriya, khanti, sacca, adhiṭṭhāna, mettā (or metti, Childers), upe(k)khā; in Pali they are called ī as well as °mitā; note further a list of ten jñāna--vihāra in Ҳṇḍū 537.11 ff., not noted else- where, seemingly a nonce-elaboration of the tenth (jñāna) ; without indication of number, Lalitavistara 274.21 (sarva-°tāsu ṃgata�); ī 19; individual members of the category, Բ-p° ṇḍī첹 335.10; Բ-p° Ѳ屹ٳ i.102.5; especially frequent is ñ-p°, q.v., Ѳ屹ٳ iii.67.4; Lalitavistara 179.14�15; 427.17; and passim in Śatasāhasrikā-ñ, Aṣṭasāhasrikā-ñ, and other works of this school which makes ñ-p° its central point; the word is rendered in Tibetan pha rol tu phyin pa, going to the other shore, a fantastic etymological rendering, as if from plus a form of root i; often forms of (pari-) pūrayati, and noun or adj. derivs., are used governing , e.g. ṇḍī첹 256.10 (°tānā� paripūryai); ṇḍū 50.16 ff. (each °tā paripūrayitavyā)
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionaryٲ (पारमित).—mfn.
(-ٲ�--ٲ�) 1. Crossed, traversed. 2. Transcendant, (as spiritual knowledge.) E. across, and ita gone.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) ٲ (पारमित):—[=--ٲ] [from ] a mfn. gone to the opposite shore
2) [v.s. ...] crossed, traversed
3) [v.s. ...] transcendent (as spiritual knowledge), [Horace H. Wilson]
4) (पारमित�):—[=-m-itā] [from -ita > ] f. (for ٲ-?) coming or leading to the opp° sh°, complete attainment, perfection in ([compound])
5) [v.s. ...] transcendental virtue (there are 6 or 10, viz. Գٲ, śī, ṣānپ, īⲹ, Բ, ñ, to which are sometimes added satya, ṣṭԲ, maitra, ܱṣ�), [Monier-Williams� Buddhism 128] (cf. [ٳṃg xvii, xviii]).
6) ٲ (पारमित):—[=-ita] b ya etc. See under 1. .
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionaryٲ (पारमित):—[(ta�-tā-ta�) a.] Crossed; transcendent, worth; spiritual.
: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)(पारमित�) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: .
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम� (ṃsṛt), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryParamiṭa (परमि�) [Also spelled permit]:�(nm) a permit.
...
Nepali dictionary
: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary1) ٲ (पारमित):—adj. 1. gone to the opposite bank or side; 2. crossed; traversed; 3. transcendent;
2) (पारमित�):—n. six practices; the perfection of which ferries one beyond the sea of suffering and mortality;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Param.
Starts with: Paramitai, Paramitam, Paramitanaya, Paramitayana.
Full-text (+109): Prajnaparamita, Danaparamita, Dhyanaparamita, Kshantiparamita, Viryaparamita, Shatparamita, Shilaparamita, Six Perfections, Paramitam, Dhairyaparamita, Upayaparamita, Dashaparamitadhara, Vajracchedakaprajnaparamita, Prajnaparamitasutra, Ten Paramita, Balaparamita, Jnanaparamita, Sarvakushalamulaparamita, Satyaparamita, Nekkhammaviriyaparamitanubhava.
Relevant text
Search found 89 books and stories containing Paramita, , Paramīta, ٲ, Param-ita, Pāram-ita, Pāram-itā, Paramiṭa; (plurals include: Paramitas, s, Paramītas, ٲs, itas, itās, Paramiṭas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Part 1 - Definition of mahā in mahāñ < [Chapter XXX - The Characteristics of Prajñā]
Part 1 - What is the virtue of wisdom (ñ) < [Chapter XXIX - The Virtue of Wisdom]
3. Prajñā of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas < [Part 2 - Prajñā and the ñs]
Karandavyuha Sutra (by Mithun Howladar)
Part 6 - Concept of the s in Buddhism < [Appendix 2 - Buddhist Philosophy]
Part 3 - Significance of the [O� Maṇi Padme Hūṃ] Mantra < [Appendix 3 - Six-Syllabled Mantra]
Dasabhumika Sutra (translation and study) (by Hwa Seon Yoon)
Part 1 - The concept of Paramita (in Theravada and Mahayana)—Introduction < [Chapter 3 - Study: Paramitas or Perfections]
Part 2 - The Difference between the two sets of Perfections—Introduction < [Chapter 3 - Study: Paramitas or Perfections]
Part 2.4 - Upaya Paramita (the perfection of Skillfulness) < [Chapter 3 - Study: Paramitas or Perfections]
Advayavajra-samgraha (Sanskrit text and English introduction) (by Mahamahopadhyaya Haraprasad Shastri)
Chapter 1 - Kudrishti-nirghatana < [Sanskrit texts of the Advayavajra-samgraha]
Part 2 - Doctrines of the different Yanas < [Introduction]
Part 1 - Introduction (to the Advayavajra-samgraha) < [Introduction]
The Indian Buddhist Iconography (by Benoytosh Bhattachacharyya)
Figure 220 - Twelve s: Praṇidhāna
Figure 180-183 - Emanations of Ratnasambhava: Vajratārā and Puṣpatārā
Prajnaparamita in Buddhist < [November-December 1931]
Tomorrow, My Birthday < [April 1957]
Tomorrow, My Birthday < [April 1957]
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Mahayana Buddhism (Literature, Language and The Ramification)