The Six Perfections, or paramitas, are guides for Mahayana Buddhist practice.

They are virtues to be cultivated to strengthen practice

and bring one to enlightenment.
The Six Perfections describe the true nature of an enlightened being, which is to say they are our own true nature. If they don't seem
to be our true nature, it is because the perfections are obscured by our delusion, anger, greed, and fear.
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By cultivating these perfections we bring this true nature into expression.

Origins of the Paramitas

There are three different lists of paramitas in Buddhism. The Ten Paramitas of Theravada Buddhism were gleaned from several
sources, including the Jataka Tales.Mahayana Buddhism took a list of Six Paramitas from several Mahayana Sutras, including
the Lotus Sutra and the Large Sutra on the Perfection of Wisdom (Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita).
In the latter text, for example, a disciple asks the Buddha, "How many bases for training are there for those seeking enlightenment?"
The Buddha replied, "There are six: generosity, morality, patience, energy, meditation, and wisdom."
Prominent early commentaries on the Six Perfections can be found in Arya Sura's Paramitasamasa (ca. 3rd century CE) and
Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara ("Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life," 8th century CE). Later, Mahayana Buddhists would add four
more perfections -- skillful means (upaya), aspiration, spiritual power, and knowledge -- to make a list of ten.
But the original list of six seems to be more common.

The Six Perfections in Practice

Each of the Six Perfections supports the other five, but the order of the perfections is significant also. For example, the first three
perfections -- generosity, morality, and patience -- are virtuous practices for anyone. The remaining three -- energy or zeal, meditation,
and wisdom -- are more specifically about spiritual practice.

1. Dana Paramita: Perfection of Generosity

In many commentaries on the Six Perfections, generosity is said to be an entry way to the dharma. Generosity is the beginning
of bodhicitta, the aspiration to realize enlightenment for all beings, which is critically important in Mahayana.
Dana paramita is a true generosity of spirit. It is giving from sincere desire to benefit others, without expectation of reward or
recognition. There must be no selfishness attached. Even charity work done to "feel good about myself" is not true dana paramita.
Read More: "The Perfection of Giving"

2. Sila Paramita: Perfection of Morality

Buddhist morality is not about unquestioning obedience to a list of rules. Yes, there are precepts, but the precepts are something like
training wheels. They guide us until we find our own balance. An enlightened being is said to respond correctly to all situations without
having to consult a list of rules.
In the practice of sila paramita, we develop selfless compassion. Along the way we practice renunciationand gain an appreciation
for karma.
Read More: "Sila Paramita"

3. Ksanti Paramita: Perfection of Patience

Ksanti is patience, tolerance, forbearance, endurance, or composure. It literally means "able to withstand." It is said there are three
dimensions to ksanti: the ability to endure personal hardship; patience with others; and acceptance of truth.
The perfection of ksanti begins with acceptance of the Four Noble Truths, including the truth of suffering (dukkha). Through practice
our attention turns away from our own suffering and toward the suffering of others.
Accepting truth refers to accepting difficult truths about ourselves -- that we are greedy, that we are mortal -- and also accepting the
truth of the illusory nature of our existence.
Read More: "Ksanti Paramita"

4. Virya Paramita: Perfection of Energy

Virya is energy or zeal. It comes from an ancient Indian-Iranian word that means "hero," and it is also the root of the English word
"virile." So, virya paramita is about making a courageous, heroic effort to realize enlightenment.
To practice virya paramita, we first develop our own character and courage. We engage in spiritual training. And then we dedicate our
fearless efforts to the benefit of others.
Read More: "Virya Paramita"

5. Dhyana Paramita: Perfection of Meditation

Dhyana, Buddhist meditation is a discipline intended to cultivate the mind. Dhyana also means "concentration," and in this case great
concentration is applied to achieve clarity and insight.
A word closely related to dhyana is samadhi, which also means "concentration." Samadhi refers to a single-pointed concentration in
which all sense of self falls away. Dhyana and samadhi are said to be the foundations of wisdom, which is the next perfection.
Read More: "Dhyana Paramita;"

6. Prajna Paramta: Perfection of Wisdom

In Mahayana Buddhism, wisdom is the direct and intimate realization of sunyata, or emptiness. Very simply, this is the teaching that all
phenomena are without self-essence.

Prajna is the ultimate perfection that includes all other perfections. The late Robert Aitken Roshi wrote, "The Sixth Paramita is Prajna,
the raison d'tre of the Buddha Way. If Dana is the entry to the Dharma, then Prajna is its realization and the other Paramitas are
Prajna in alternate form." (The Practice of Perfection, p. 107)
That all phenomena are without self-essence may not strike you as especially wise, but as you work with prajna teachings the
significance of sunyata becomes more and more evident, and the importance of sunyata to Mahayana Buddhism cannot be
overstated.
However, this wisdom cannot be understood by intellect alone. So how do we understand it? Through the practice of the other
perfections -- generosity, morality, patience, energy. and meditation.

http://buddhism.about.com/od/Paramitas/a/The-Six-Perfections.htm