Shatparamita, Shash-paramita, Ṣaṭpāramitā: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Shatparamita 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 Ṣaṭpāramitā can be transliterated into English as Satparamita or Shatparamita, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Ṣaṭpāramitā (षट्पारमिता) refers to the “six perfections”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “What then, the son of good family, is memory (dhāraṇī)? [...] (27) knowledge of entering the six perfections (ṣaṭpāramitā); (28) knowledge of the four means of attraction, appropriately to each; (29) knowledge of entering the path of sound and voice; (30) knowledge of teaching the dharmas as conventional expressions; (31) non-discriminating knowledge of the meaning; (32) imperishable knowledge of the letter; [...]”.
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.
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Ṣaṭpāramitā (षट्पारमिता) refers to “(being) stated”, according to the Guru-maṇḍala-arcana [i.e., “Guru Mandala Worship]” ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “[...] Possessing the six seals, adorned with a necklace, bracelets, Ear-rings, girdle, a crest jewel, (and) covered in ashes. The six insignia stated (are) the purity of the six perfections (ṣaṭpāramitā)”.
Ṣaṭpāramitā (षट्पारमिता) in Sanskrit refers to the the “Six Paramitas” or “transcendent perfections” (known in Tibetan as pha rol tu phyin pa drug). They comprise the training of a Bodhisattva, which is bodhichitta in action. The first five paramitas [pha rol tu phyin pa drug] correspond to the accumulation of merit, and the sixth to the accumulation of wisdom. The sixth paramita can be divided into four, resulting in ten paramitas. For details, see (1) The Fortunate Aeon: How the Thousand Buddhas Became Enlightened (2) Samdhinirmochana Sutra, chapter 9; (3) The Sutra of the Question of Subahu.
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 (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Ṣaṭpāramitā (षट्पारमिता) refers to the “six perferctions” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 17):
- 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).
The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., ṣaṣ-pāramitā). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Ṣaṭpāramitā (in Sanskrit) can be associated with the following Chinese terms:
1) 六度 [liù dù]: “six perfections”; “six transcendent practices”.
2) 六德 [liù dé]: “six attributes”.
3) 六波羅蜜 [liù bō luó mì]: “six perfections”.
4) 六波羅蜜多 [liù bō luó mì duō]: “six perfections”.
5) 六種波羅蜜 [liù zhǒng bō luó mì]: “six transcendent practices”.
6) 六到彼岸 [liù dào bǐ àn]: “six perfections”.
Note: ṣaṭpāramitā can be alternatively written as: ṣaṭ-pāramitā; ṣaṭ-pāramitāḥ.
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): Shash, Sat, Paramita.
Starts with (+0): Shatparamitanirdesha, Shatparamitaparipurna, Shatparamitasamgiti, Shatparamitasamgraha.
Full-text (+30): Shatparamitanirdesha, Shatparamitaparipurna, Shatparamitasamgiti, Shatparamitasamgraha, Prajnaparamita, Shilaparamita, Danaparamita, Kshantiparamita, Viryaparamita, Dhyanaparamita, Six Perfections, Dana, Kshanti, Shila, Liu bo luo mi, Liu dao bi an, Virya, Dhyana, Prajna, Luc do tap kinh.
Relevant text
Search found 9 books and stories containing Shatparamita, Ṣaṣ-pāramitā, Sas-paramita, Ṣaṭ-pāramitā, Sat-paramita, Ṣaṭpāramitā, Satparamita, Shas-paramita, Shash-paramita, Shat-paramita; (plurals include: Shatparamitas, pāramitās, paramitas, Ṣaṭpāramitās, Satparamitas). 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)
Bhūmi 6: the ground of presence (abhimukhī) < [Chapter XX - (2nd series): Setting out on the Mahāyāna]
Appendix 2 - The great armour (mahāsaṃnaha) < [Chapter XLIII - The Pursuit of the Six superknowledges]
Bhūmi 10: the ground of the cloud of the Dharma (dharmameghā) < [Chapter XX - (2nd series): Setting out on the Mahāyāna]
Mahayana Buddhism and Early Advaita Vedanta (Study) (by Asokan N.)
Karandavyuha Sutra (by Mithun Howladar)
Part 6 - Concept of the Pāramitās in Buddhism < [Appendix 2 - Buddhist Philosophy]
Theravada Buddhist studies in Japan (by Keiko Soda)
2. Rising of Mahayana Buddhism < [Chapter 3 - Theravada and Mahayana (comparison and contrast)]
3. Development of Mahayana Sutras < [Chapter 3 - Theravada and Mahayana (comparison and contrast)]
Stupas in Orissa (Study) (by Meenakshi Chauley)
During the Bhaumakara’s reign < [Chapter 2]
Bodhisattvacharyavatara (by Andreas Kretschmar)
Text Section 250 / Stanza 16 < [Khenpo Chöga’s Oral Explanations]