pāramitā ［波羅蜜］ (, Pali;  haramitsu): Practices that Mahayana bodhisattvas must undertake to attain enlightenment. Generally, pāramitā is interpreted as “perfection” or “having reached the opposite shore.” These practices were so called because by perfecting them one was said to cross from the shore of delusion and suffering to the shore of enlightenment. They are usually divided into six or ten. See also six pāramitās; ten pāramitās.