Part 1 - Definition of Pāramī

The set of ten virtues including dāna (alms-giving), sīla (morality), etc. is called Pāramī (Perfection).

A Bodhisatta (future Buddha), being endowed with these ten virtues, such as dāna, sīla, etc. is known as a Parama or Extraordinary Personality. On this basis, therefore, the etymology of Pāramī is: Paramānaṃ bhāvo (state of Extraordinary Personalities), which is derived from two things: the knowledge of those who see and know them as such and the saying of those who see and know them that they really are. An alternative etymology is Paramanam kamman (work of Extraordinary Personalities); hence their course of conduct, consisting of dāna, sīla, etc. is called Pāramī.

The order of the ten Perfections should be known by the following verse:

Dānaṃ sīlañ ca nekkhammaṃ
paññā vīriyena pañcamaṃ
khantī saccam adhiṭṭhānaṃ
mett’ upekkhā ti te dasa.

Alms-giving, Morality, Renunciation,
Wisdom, Energy as the fifth.
Forbearance, Truthfulness, Resolution,
Loving-kindness and Equanimity;
all these make ten (Perfections).

[Each perfection is of three categories, namely, Pāramī (Ordinary Perfection), Upa-Pāramī (Higher Perfection) and Paramattha-Pāramī (Highest Perfection). For instance, dāna is of three categories: (1) Dāna-pāramī (Ordinary Perfection of Alms-giving), (2) Dāna upa-pāramī (Higher Perfection of Alms-giving) and Dāna paramattha-pāramī(Highest Perfection of Alms-giving). Likewise for the Sīla and each of the remaining virtues.] Thus there are thirty kinds of Perfection in its detailed enumeration.

Difference between Pāramī, Upa-pāramī and Paramattha-pāramī

With regard to these three categories, (1) properties, such as one’s own gold, silver, etc. and family members, such as one’s own children and wife, (2) limbs, big and small, such as one’s own hands, legs, etc. and (3) one’s own life, should be noted first. Then referring to dāna, (1) Gift of properties is Dāna-pāramī, (2) Gift of limbs, big and small, is Dāna-upapāramī and (3) Gift of life is Dāna-paramattha-pāramī.

Similarly, (1) observance of morality at the sacrifice of properties, (2) observance of morality at the sacrifice of limbs, big and small and (3) observance of morality at the sacrifice of life, are to be understood as Sīla-pāramī, Sīla-upa-pāramī and Sīla-paramatthapāramī respectively. Likewise, for the remaining eight perfection, the same way of classification should be applied.

Different views held by different commentators may be looked up in the exposition of the word, “ko vibhago” in the Pakiṇṇaka Kathā of the Cariyā Piṭaka Commentary..