The Six Perfections are giving, observing the precepts, patience, striving, meditation, and wisdom. Their purpose is to help all living beings reach the “other shore” of enlightenment, and this is what the Sanskrit term paramita, or perfection, means. Four of the Six Perfections correspond to steps in the Eightfold Path. Observing the precepts corresponds to right speech, right action, and right livelihood. Striving is the same as right effort. Meditation corresponds to right mindfulness and right meditation, and wisdom includes right views and right thought. Giving and patience, though important items in the Six Perfections, are not mentioned explicitly in the Eightfold Path. The position of giving at the head of the list indicates the altruistic emphasis of the Six Perfections.
Basic Buddhist Concepts