Dashaparamita, Daśapāramitā, Dasha-paramita: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Dashaparamita means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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.
The Sanskrit term Daśapāramitā can be transliterated into English as Dasaparamita or Dashaparamita, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Daśapāramitā (दशपारमिता) refers to the “ten perfections” associated with the Prayogāvasthā (“states of practice”) which are classified under the ‘causal state’ (hetvavasthā) type of the three Avasthās (“states”), according to the Kudṛṣṭinirghātavākyaṭippinikā (“the commentary on the [initial] statement of the destruction of wrong views”), one of the 26 texts revolving around the theme of amanasikāra (“non-conceptual realization”) ascribed to Maitrīpa (c. 986–1063)—an influential late Indian Buddhist master who helped bring Mahāsiddha-style Mahāmudrā teachings into a monastic Mahāyāna scholastic setting. The states of practice (prayoga-avasthā) is twofold: the ten perfections (daśapāramitā) of the practice of conviction on the path of preparation; and the seven perfections associated with having attained a [Bodhisattva] level.
The ten perfections (daśapāramitā) of conviction are as follows:
- generosity (dāna),
- discipline (śīlaṃ),
- patience (kṣamā),
- diligence (vīrya),
- meditation (dhyāna),
- insight (prajñā),
- skill in means (upāyatā),
- aspiration (praṇidhāna),
- strength (bala) and
- wisdom (jñāna).
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 sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Daśapāramitā (दशपारमिता) refers to the “ten perferctions” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 18):
- dāna-pāramitā (the perfection of generosity),
- śīla-pāramitā (the perfection of virtue),
- kṣānti-pāramitā (the perfection of patience),
- vīrya-pāramitā (the perfection of energy),
- dhyāna-pāramitā (the perfection of meditation),
- prajñā-pāramitā (the perfection of wisdom),
- upāya-pāramitā (the perfection of skilful means),
- praṇidhi-pāramitā (the perfection of aspiration),
- bala-pāramitā (the perfection of strength),
- jñāna-pāramitā (the perfection of knowledge).
The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., daśa-pāramitā). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Daśapāramitā (in Sanskrit) can be associated with the following Chinese terms:
1) 到彼岸 [dào bǐ àn]: “reach the other shore”.
2) 十到彼岸 [shí dào bǐ àn]: “ten perfections”.
3) 十度 [shí dù]: “ten perfections”.
4) 十波羅蜜 [shí bō luó mì]: “ten pāramitās”; “ten transcendent practices”.
5) 十波羅蜜多 [shí bō luó mì duō]: “ten perfections”.
Note: daśapāramitā can be alternatively written as: daśa-pāramitā.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), 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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches (+0): Dasa, Paramita, Taca.
Starts with (+0): Dashaparamitadhara, Dashaparamitadhvara.
Full-text (+12): Dashaparamitadhara, Pranidhi, Upayaparamita, Pranidhiparamita, Balaparamita, Jnanaparamita, Ten Perfections, A cha mo luo, Upaya, Bala, Prajnaparamita, Shilaparamita, Danaparamita, Kshantiparamita, Viryaparamita, Dhyanaparamita, Puri, Bodhicittotpada, Jnana, Shi dao bi an.
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Dashaparamita, Daśa-pāramitā, Dasa-paramita, Daśapāramitā, Dasaparamita, Dasha-paramita; (plurals include: Dashaparamitas, pāramitās, paramitas, Daśapāramitās, Dasaparamitas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Lay-Life of India as reflected in Pali Jataka (by Rumki Mondal)
Part 2.10 - Upekkhā Pāramītā (equanimity) in the Jātakas < [Chapter 2 - Jātaka Stories as a Methodological Instrument]
Guhyagarbha Tantra (with Commentary) (by Gyurme Dorje)
Text 12.7 (Commentary) < [Chapter 12 (Text and Commentary)]
An introduction to Buddhist monasteries of Kathmandu Valley (by Min Bahadur Shakya)