With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct descripti

Question

With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term paramitas?

Accepted Answer

The Fourth Noble Truth, the Noble Eightfold Path, gives what the Buddhist pilgrim (or practitioner) has to practice, and the path which he has to follow, to achieve Enlightenment and realize Nibbana. There is a parallel path which consists of perfecting certain qualities, which leads the pilgrim to becoming a Samma Sambuddha, a self Enlightened Universal Buddha.The qualities are called the Paramis (perfections) in the Southern traditions and the Paramitas in the Eastern and Northern traditions. The elements of the Noble Path and the Paramis are similar.The ten Paramis are:Generosity - giving help and benefit to other living beingsMorality - live an ethical lifeRenunciation - renounce worldly pleasuresWisdom - achieve a right understanding of life and the worldEnergy - persistent effort and not being discouraged by failuresPatience - patiently accept life’s ups and downsTruthfulness - honesty and truthfulness in all thingsDetermination - unwavering determination to progress on the pathLoving-kindness - show benevolence and compassion to all thingsEquanimity - develop a perfect mental equilibriumThe ten Paramitas of the Eastern and Northern traditions are:GenerosityMoralityPatienceEnergyMeditationWisdomSkillful meansResolutionPowerKnowledgeDespite slight differences in the wording, the two sets of qualities are similar.Source Citation: Al Basham: Wonder That Was India Ch - Religion: Cults, Doctrines and Metaphysics; Upinder Singh: The Impression (2016)