Editing Pāramitā (section)

=== Ten perfections ===
In the ''[[Ten Stages Sutra]]'', four more pāramitās are listed, bringing the total count to ten perfection. The extra four are: ''[[Upaya|Upāya]]-pāramitā'' (perfection of skillful means), ''[[Bodhisattva vow|Praṇidhāna]]-pāramitā'' (perfection of aspiration or vows), ''[[Five Strengths|Bala]]-pāramitā'' (perfection of power) and ''[[Jnana|Jñāna]] pāramitā'' (perfection of knowledge)''.''<ref>Buswell, Robert E; Lopez, Donald S. ''The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism'', p. 624. Princeton University Press, Nov 24, 2013.</ref> The ''[[Mahāratnakūṭa Sūtra]]'' (''Sutra of the Heap of Jewels'') also includes these additional four pāramitās, with the order of numbers 8 and 9 switched.

==== Upāyapāramitā ====
The perfection of [[Upaya|skillful means]] (''upāya-kauśalya'') is the skill of a Buddha or an advanced bodhisattva which allows them to perfectly tailor their teachings and actions to align with the inclinations and capacities of his audience. Because buddhas and bodhisattvas have profound understanding, they can provide teachings that are most suitable for each individual, akin to a physician prescribing specific treatments for particular ailments.<ref name=":0">Buswell, Robert E; Lopez, Donald S. ''The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism'', pp. 942-943. Princeton University Press, Nov 24, 2013.</ref> Moreover, ''skillful means'' can serve to explain why certain actions, which might seem unethical to beings of limited spiritual insight, become virtuous when undertaken by a bodhisattva who acts with the ultimate welfare of others in mind.<ref name=":0" />

==== Praṇidhānapāramitā ====
Praṇidhānapāramitā (C. 願波羅 yuan boluomi; T. smon lam gyi pha rol tu phyin pa) is the perfection of the [[Bodhisattva vow|bodhisattva's vow]] or "aspiration". This refers to how bodhisattvas make solemn declarations of their intent to achieve buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings.<ref name=":1">Buswell, Robert E; Lopez, Donald S. ''The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism'', p. 661-662. Princeton University Press, Nov 24, 2013.</ref> These vows can take the form of an oath, where one commits to achieving a goal, or a prayer, where one dedicates merit toward its realization. The term also appears in the context of ''[[Primal Vow|pūrvapraṇidhāna]]'', meaning "prior vow." This refers to a pledge made in the past, either already fulfilled in the present or destined for fulfillment in the future, typically in relation to the aspiration for buddhahood.<ref name=":1" />

==== Balapāramitā ====
Balapāramitā (C. 力波羅蜜 li bo-luomi; T. stobs kyi pha rol tu phyin pa) is the “perfection of power” or “strength”. This refers to the power of a bodhisattva which allows him to master elements of the teaching, such as the four analytical knowledges or four discriminations (pratisaṃvid).<ref>Buswell, Robert E; Lopez, Donald S. ''The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism'', p. 95. Princeton University Press, Nov 24, 2013.</ref>

==== Jñānapāramitā ====
[[Jñāna]]-pāramitā (C. 智 zhi; T. ye shes) is the perfection of "gnosis," or "knowledge", which denotes a distinct understanding of an object’s nature. While ''prajñāpāramitā'' signifies perfected spiritual insight into ultimate reality, ''jñāna'' refers to more general forms of knowledge specific to the path of the bodhisattva.<ref>uswell, Robert E; Lopez, Donald S. ''The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism'', pp. 395-396. Princeton University Press, Nov 24, 2013.</ref> There are various schemas of these types of knowledge. One text, the ''[[Abhisamayalankara|Abhisamayālaṅkāra]]'', divides knowledge into three main types: knowledge of all aspects (sarvākārajñatā, only Buddhas have this), knowledge of paths (mārgākārajñatā, which is accessible to bodhisattvas) and all-knowledge (sarvajñatā, accessible even to sravakas).