The First Treatise on the Perfections – 2497
the special virtues of generosity, morality, etc., come to be known as what
belongs to a supreme being, the perfections (
pāramī
).
Again, only Bodhisattas are able to perform deeds of merit, such as generosity,
morality, etc., in an unparalleled manner. Hence, these deeds of merit are called
the perfections (
pāramī
), meaning the duties of Bodhisattas (
paramānaṁ
kammaṁ pāramī
), or the properties of Bodhisattas (
paramānaṁ ayaṁ pāramī
).
The set of ten virtues
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including alms giving (
dāna
), morality (
sīla
), etc. are
called perfections (
pāramī
). A Bodhisatta, being endowed with these ten virtues,
such as generosity, morality, etc. is known as a
parama
or extraordinary
personality. On this basis, therefore, the etymology of the perfections (
pāramī
)
is:
paramānaṁ bhāvo
, the state of extraordinary personalities, which is derived
from two things: the knowledge of those who see and know them as such, and
the sayings of those who see and know them as they really are. An alternative
etymology is
paramānaṁ kammaṁ
, the work of extraordinary personalities;
hence their course of conduct, which consists of generosity, morality, etc., is
called the perfections (
pāramī
).
3. How Many Perfections Are There?
In accordance with the teaching (Bv 1.76):
Dānaṁ sīlañ-ca nekkhamaṁ, paññā viriyena pañcamaṁ,
khantī saccam-adhiṭṭhānaṁ, mettupekkhā ti te dasa.
[51]
There are ten perfections (
pāramī
): generosity, morality, renunciation,
wisdom, energy, forbearance, truthfulness, resolution, loving-kindness
and equanimity.
4. In What Sequence Are the Perfections Arranged?
There are five ways of arranging doctrinal points in sequential order:
1. The sequence of actual happening (
pavattikkama
).
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[This section originally stood alone, as a short piece in the Further Explanation of
Words and Phrases above. I have moved it here, as it helps to explain the perfections,
which is the subject of this Treatise.]