Paramita (Sanskrit) - perfection; also a pun on "gone beyond."
Dana paramita - generosity of spirit; openness
Sila paramita - rules; manners
Ksanti paramita - patience; acceptance; forgiving; upeksha
Virya paramita - vitality
Dhyana paramita - empty-mind; Ch'an; Zen
Prajna paramita - clear perception
Upaya paramita - skillful means
Pranidhana paramita - resolve
Bala paramita - power
Jnana paramita - understanding
The first Paramita (see The Ten Paramitas) is Dana, or generosity, especially generosity of spirit. Some of the situations in which we fail in being generous may include:
Stubbornly insisting on having things our own way
Not respecting others; not listening with an open heart/mind
Not answering questions; defying social expectations (How are you? What do you do?)
Not accepting invitations
Refusing gifts
Not teaching (but, remember Upaya, skillful means)
Not offering the Three Refuges
Of special note are 4 and 5. Is it always more blessed to give than to receive? If so, the generous act is to graciously receive so the other may be blessed by giving.
