Saḍ Pāramitā in Sang HyangKamahayanan

Abstract

This paper examines the concept of Saḍ Pāramitā in Mahāyāna Buddhism which is expounded in Old Javanese Text of Sang Hyang Kamahayanan. Saḍ Pāramitā or Six Perfections are the important teachings since Mahāyāna Buddhist School promotes Buddhahood as the complete liberation. Since Buddhahood is the only way to reach total liberation, therefore Saḍ Pāramitā are requirements being bodhisattva in order to attain complete liberation. Java and Sumatera of Indonesia were the main places where Buddhism flourished in 7th century AD. Buddhism influenced very much to the culture, architecture and literatures. Sanskrit language influenced the Old Javanese Language, and it resulted many Sanskrit words were adopted into Old Javanese Language. Buddhist literatures had been composed in Old Javanese Language. Two important books on Buddhism written in Old Javanese Language are Sang Hyang Kamahayanikan and Kamahayanan Mantrayana. However, this study focuses on the concept of Saḍ Pāramitā expounded in the Sang Hyang Kamahayanikan. This topic is selected for we come across interesting explanations given in this book, which is probably not available in the original Sanskrit texts. Therefore, we can assume that this book is like a commentary on the original Sanskrit texts which was written in old Javanese Language