THE TEN PARAMIS
The Pali word Parami means ‘excellent’ and refers to the ten excellent qualities of the heart that grow out of Loving Kindness.
*Dana Parami Sampanno
Dana Upa Parami Sampanno
Dana Paramatta Parami Sampanno
Metta Karuna Mudita Ubbekha Parami Sampanno
Itipiso Bhagava
His/her Parami of * (dana/generosity) is impeccable
His/her higher generosity is impeccable
His/her highest generosity is impeccable
His/her loving compassion, forgiveness, sympathetic joy, openness are impeccable
Such is a Holy One
* replacing Dana with the following Paramis through the chant
Dana (generosity)
Sila (morality)
Nekkhama (sacrifice)
Pañña (wisdom)
Viriya (energy)
Khanti (patience)
Sajja (honesty)
Addhitana (commitment)
Metta (loving kindness)
Ubekkha (openness/courage)
These Paramis are the marks of a Bodhisattva, a spiritual being, a person whose life is rooted in a commitment to the well being and liberation from suffering of others.
This practice is a form of contemplation on the qualities of a Bodhisattva, the Buddhist archetype of a spiritual warrior, a being whose total commitment is the wellbeing of others. As we chant the Paramis our intention is to awaken each quality in our hearts and to consider their different levels.
Sukkhino Wa Kemmino Hontu
Sabbhe Satta Bhavantu Sukhitattha
May happiness and well-being arise
May all beings be content
Namo Ta Pei Kuan Shr Yin Pu Sa
Namo – hommage
Ta Pei – great compassion
Kuan – who hears
Shr – the world’s
Yin – sounds of lamentation
Pu Sa – Bodhisattva spiritual warrior