The Ten Perfections
This section on the Ten Perfections is reproduced from Bro Lim Chin Kah's mailing list (Dharma-Friends).
During the Kaaya-panidhaana kaala of 100,000 world cycles interspersed with 4 incalculable periods the Bodhisatta Gotama worked at completing the ten perfections (paaramitaa), namely:
- Generosity (Daana)
- Virtue/Morality (Sila)
- Renunciation (Neckkhamma)
- Wisdom (Paniniaa)
- Energy/Effort (Viriya)
- Patience (Khanti)
- Truthfulness (Sacca)
- Determination (Adhitthaana)
- Loving-kindness/Compassion (Mettaa)
- Equanimity (Upekkhaa)
Documented below are the past life stories explaining how the Bodhisatta Gotama attained perfection in each of the ten virtues. It should be noted that the Bodhisatta practised each of these ten in countless births to a degree that is incomprehensible to most mortals.
Generosity was not just the giving away of His wealth and kingdom for the good of the world. It was the giving of His limbs, His life, and, ultimately, His beloved children and wife to reach perfection in
generosity. Over aeons and aeons of time the Bodhisatta worked tirelessly, with determination and perseverance, to attain perfection in each of these ten areas.
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