Question
Could you please explain why the Paramis or Paramitas are not identical in Theravadin and Mahayana traditions. In the Mahayana tradition, Renunciation, Truthfulness, Determination, Compassion/Lovingkindness and Equanimity are missing. But instead, they have concentration, which is considered a tool in the Theravadin tradition. Is there any deviation in interpreting the scriptures?
Answer
Theravadin scriptures come from the Pali language. All of the Mahayana schools, which include: the Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, whatever, their scriptures come from the Sanskrit language. There are two different groups of scriptures that exist with many differences.