What are the paramitas in Buddhism?

What are the paramitas in Buddhism?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight February 17, 2024 Duration: 18:49

Bright on Buddhism Episode 82 - What are the paramitas in Buddhism? How ought one cultivate them? How do understandings of them change over time?

Resources: Bodhi, Bhikkhu (1978). The All-Embracing Net of Views. Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society.; Bodhi, Bhikkhu (ed.) (1978, 2005). Lopez, Donald S. Jr. (1988). The Heart Sutra Explained: Indian and Tibetan Commentaries. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-88706-589-7.; Cantegreil, Mathieu; Chanana, Dweep; Kattumuri, Ruth, eds. (2013). Revealing Indian Philanthropy (PDF). Alliance Publishing Trust. ISBN 9781907376191. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-07-05. Retrieved 2023-07-05.; Bodhi, Bhikkhu (2000). The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Saṃyutta Nikāya. Somerville, Mass.: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-331-1.; A Chanting Guide. Dhammayut Order in the United States of America. 1994. Archived from the original on 2009-03-06.; Nandisena, Bhikkhu (2000). "Khantivadi Jataka". El Centro Mexicano del Buddhismo Theravada. J 313. Archived from the original on 2000-06-21. Retrieved 2007-07-08.; Cowell, E.B., ed. (2006) [1895]. The Jātaka or Stories of the Buddha's Former Births. Vol. II. Translated by Rouse, W.H.D. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.; "Kakacupama Sutta: The Simile of the Saw (excerpt)". Access to Insight. Translated by Thanissaro, Bhikkhu. 1997c. MN 21. Retrieved 3 Jul 2007.; Federman, Asaf (2009), "Literal means and hidden meanings: a new analysis of skillful means" (PDF), Philosophy East and West, 59 (2): 125–141, doi:10.1353/pew.0.0050, S2CID 574336; Matsunaga, Daigan and Alicia (1974). The concept of upāya in Mahāyāna Buddhist philosophy, Japanese Journal of Buddhist Studies 1 (1), 51–72; Pye, Michael (1978). Skilful Means - A concept in Mahayana Buddhism. London: Gerald Duckworth & Co. Ltd. ISBN 0-7156-1266-2; Snellgrove, David (1987). Indo-Tibetan Buddhism: Indian Buddhists & Their Tibetan Successors (2 volumes). Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Shambhala Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-87773-311-2 (v. 1) & ISBN 0-87773-379-1 (v. 2); Schroeder, John (2001) Skillful Means: The Heart of Buddhist Compassion. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0-8248-2442-3; Tatz, M., trans. (1994). The Skill in Means (Upayakausalya) Sutra. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass; Blo-gros-mthaʼ-yas, Koṅ-sprul; Taye, Lodro; Rinpoche, Bokar (2003). Śes bya mthaʼ yas paʼi rgya mtsho [Complete Explanation of the Pratimoksha, Bodhisattva and Vajrayana Vows – Buddhist Ethics]. Treasury of Knowledge. Ithaca: Snow Lion Publications. ISBN 1-55939-191-X. OCLC 52906881.; Panchen, Ngari; Gyalpo, Pema Wangyi; Rinpoche, Dudjom (1996). Sdom gsum rnam ṅes [Perfect Conduct: Ascertaining the Three Vows]. Translated by Gyurme Samdrub; Sangye Khandro. Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 978-0-86171-083-6. OCLC 34669418.; Rinpoche, Bokar (1997). Vœu de Bodhisattva [Taking the Bodhisattva Vow]. Translated by Christiane Buchet. San Francisco: ClearPoint Press. ISBN 978-0-9630371-8-3. OCLC 42015705.; Rinchen, Sonam; Chandragomin (2000). Sonam, Ruth (ed.). Bodhisattvasaṃvaraviṃśaka [The Bodhisattva Vow]. Translated by Ruth Sonam. Ithaca: Snow Lion Publications. ISBN 1-55939-150-2. OCLC 44026191.; Tson-Kha-Pa (1986). Asanga's Chapter on Ethics, with the Commentary of Tsong-Kha-Pa: The Basic Path to Awakening – The Complete Bodhisattva. Translated by Mark Tatz. Lewiston: Edwin Mellen Press. ISBN 0-88946-054-X. OCLC 605654078

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by tweeting to us @BrightBuddhism, emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com, or joining us on our discord server, Hidden Sangha https://discord.gg/tEwcVpu!

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host


Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Kōan Series - What is the Buddha? Three Pounds of Flax [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:57
Bright on Buddhism - Kōan Series Episode 9 - What is the Buddha? Three Pounds of Flax Hello and welcome to a new episode of the Kōan Series. In this series, we will read and discuss real Buddhist kōans to try and better…
Vajrasekhara Sutra - Fascicle Two Part Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:58
Bright on Buddhism - Vajrasekhara Sutra - Fascicle Two - Part Two Resources: https://www.bdkamerica.org/product/two-esoteric-sutras/; Bentor, Yael, and Meir Shahar, eds. Chinese and Tibetan esoteric Buddhism. Leiden ; Br…
Why does Pure Land seem so similar to Christianity? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:36
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 87 - It's hard not to notice that Pure Land Buddhism has some similarities to Christianity. Why is that? What are the doctrinal similarities between pure land and Christianity? What are the d…
What is "un-knowing" in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:04
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 86 -What is "un-knowing" in Buddhism? Is it the same as Agnosticism? What is its relationship to faith? Resources: Robert Buswell; Donald Lopez (2013), Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, Princ…
Youtube and Patreon Announcement! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16
Bright on Buddhism - Youtube and Patreon Announcement Hey everybody, we have just created a Youtube channel and a Patreon page. The Youtube channel will be just another platform where you can listen to Bright on Buddhism…
What are omamori? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:34
Bright on Buddhism - Episode 85 - What are omamori? What is their history? What is their significance? Resources: Reader, Ian; Tanabe, George J. (1998). Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of…
Avatamsaka Sutra Book 30 - The Incalculable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:42
Bright on Buddhism - Avatamsaka Sutra - Book 30 - The Incalculable Join us as we read and discuss Book 30 of Thomas Cleary's translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra! Resources: Prince, Tony (2014). Universal Enlightenment, A…
Guest Appearance - Cristian Castellanos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:23
Bright on Buddhism - Guest Appearance - Cristian Castellanos This week, Bright on Buddhism welcomes our 5th special guest, Cristian Castellanos! He is a former graduate school colleague of Nick's, and together, they will…
What is self-immolation? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:48
Bright on Buddhism Episode 27 - What is self-immolation? Why do people do it? What are some examples of self immolation in the Buddhist scriptural texts? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald L…
Vajrasekhara Sutra - Fascicle Two Part One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:20
Bright on Buddhism - Vajrasekhara Sutra - Fascicle Two - Part One Resources: https://www.bdkamerica.org/product/two-esoteric-sutras/; Bentor, Yael, and Meir Shahar, eds. Chinese and Tibetan esoteric Buddhism. Leiden ; Br…