Perfections

Via Bhikkhu Samahita:

Contemplation of the Ten Perfecting Qualities (Dasa Parami):

1: May I be generous and always helpfully giving service (Dāna parami).

2: May I be morally pure, virtuous and well-disciplined (Sīla parami).

3: May I be modest and withdrawing into simple living (Nekkhamma parami).

4: May I be wise by understanding what should be known (Paññā parami).

5: May I be enthusiastic, energetic, & never giving up the good (Viriya parami).

6: May I be patient, tolerant, and forgive other’s wrongs (Khanti parami).

7: May I be honest, trustworthy, scrupulous, and truthful (Sacca parami).

8: May I be firm, resolute, determined, and immovable (Adhitthāna parami).

9: May I be kind, gentle, compassionate and friendly (Mettā parami).

10: May I be calm, balanced, serene and imperturbable (Upekkhā parami).

May I train to be mentally perfect. May I be perfect to keep training!

Theravādin Buddhism is sometimes accused of being less compassionate than later forms, or that the goal of Arahat (literally “worthy one” but often translated as “saint”) is somehow selfish. But with even a modest examination of the activities of many Theravādin Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis or a reading of the Pāli texts, one sees that this is untrue. And to the extent that this shrouds the truth it seems to be a case of wrong speech.