The Great Chronicle of Buddhas

by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw | 1990 | 1,044,401 words

This page describes Why are They called Paramis? contained within the book called the Great Chronicle of Buddhas (maha-buddha-vamsa), a large compilation of stories revolving around the Buddhas and Buddhist disciples. This page is part of the series known as on Miscellany. This great chronicle of Buddhas was compiled by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw who had a thorough understanding of the thousands and thousands of Buddhist teachings (suttas).

Part 2 - Why are They called Pāramīs?

It may be asked why the ten virtues, such as dāna, sīla, etc., are called Pāramīs.

The answer is: The Pail word ‘Pāramī’ is the combination of ‘parama’ and ‘ī’. ‘Parama’ means ‘supreme’ and is used here as a designation of Bodhisattas, because they are the highest of beings endowed with the extraordinary virtues of dāna, sīla, etc.

Or, because they fulfil and protect such special virtues as dāna, sīla, etc; because they behave as though they bind on and attract other beings to them by means of these virtues of dāna, sīla, etc.; because they purify others by removing their defilements in a most ardent manner; because they particularly proceed to Supreme Nibbāna; because they know their next existence as they comprehend the present life; because they practise virtues, such as sīla, etc., in an incomparable manner, as if these virtues were ingrained in their mental continuum; because they dispel and destroy all alien hordes of defilements which threaten them. Thus Bodhisattas are called ‘Parama’.

A Bodhisatta is incomparably endowed with special virtues, such as dāna, sīla, etc. This accounts for the emergence of the utterance and the knowledge “This person is a Bodhisatta; he is a ‘Parama’, a Supreme Being.” Thus, the special virtues of dāna, sīla etc., come to be known as ‘Pāramī’.

Again, only Bodhisattas are able to perform deeds of merit, such as dāna, sīla, etc., in an unparalleled manner. Hence, these deeds of merit are called Pāramī, meaning the duties of Bodhisattas (Paramānam kammam Pāramī), or the properties of Bodhisattas (Paramānaṃ ayaṃ Pāramī).

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