Perfections

[HappinessSeeker]

Are Parami (Perfections) only for Bodhisattas, future Paccekabuddhas, and future Chief Disciples?
I think so because it makes sense this way.
I remember reading that there are different levels to perfections so there are 30 perfections in total. It would make sense if the highest 10 perfections are for future Buddhas, the middle 10 perfections for future Paccekabuddhas, and the lowest level of 10 perfections are for future Chief Disciples.

I think for everyone else, they just need to do good deeds and practice meditation. For everyone else, we should think in terms of Dana, Sila, Bhavana or Sila, Samadhi, Panna, not in terms of Parami.

[RobertK]

Bhikkhu Bodhi:

It should be noted that in established Theravaada tradition the paaramiis are not regarded as a discipline peculiar to candidates for Buddhahood alone but as practices which must be fulfilled by all aspirants to enlightenment and deliverance, whether as Buddhas, paccekabuddhas, or disciples. What distinguishes the supreme bodhisattva from aspirants in the other two vehicles is the degree to which the paaramiis must be cultivated and the length of time they must be pursued. But the qualities themselves are universal requisites for deliverance, which all must fulfill to at least a minimal degree to merit the fruits of the liberating path.

and

Savaka Bodhisattas

Some more on accumulations of merit. A Treatise on the Paramis: From the Commentary to the Cariyapitaka. Without wisdom, the virtues such as giving do not become purified and cannot perform their respective functions. Just as, without life, the bodily organism loses its luster and cannot perform its proper activities, and as without consciousness the sense faculties cannot exercise their functions in their respective spheres, just so, without wisdom the faculties such as faith, etc., can…

[RobertK]

It doesn’t matter too much whether we think in terms of parami or of panna and the other factors.
What is essential is starting to see what the path is:
Cariyapitaka atthakatthaa, translated by Bhikhu Bodhi (p. 271 ) in Net of Views.

…And: 'When there is patience, the mind becomes concentrated, all formations appear to reflection as impermanent and suffering; all dhammas as not-self, nibbana as unconditioned, deathless, peaceful, and sublime, and the Buddha-qualities as endowed with inconceivable and immeasurable potency. Then established in acquiescence in conformity, the groundlessness of all ‘I-making’ and ‘mine-making’ becomes evident to reflection thus: ‘Mere dhammas alone exist, devoid of self or of anything pertaining to a self. They arise and pass away in accordance with their conditions. They do not come from anywhere, they do not go anywhere, they are not established anywhere. There is no agency in anything whatsoever.’.

[Brunobm]

Buddha (a Supremely Enlightened One) [Part 4]

Ven. Mingun Sayadaw:

After fulfilling the necessary Perfections for two asaṅkhyeyyas and a hundred thousand aeons, a Private Buddha attains Enlightenment consisting of the Insight Knowledge of the Path which is understanding of the Four Noble Truths (Magga-ñāṇa) by himself, without a teacher’s help. But he does not achieve Omniscience and the Ten Powers (Dasabalañāṇa) [see note below], etc. The Noble Person who has thus attained Enlightenment is called a Private Buddha or a Minor Buddha (Pacceka Buddha).

After fulfilling the necessary Perfections for one asaṅkhyeyya and a hundred thousand aeons, if he is a future Chief Disciple, or a hundred thousand aeons, if he is a future Great Disciple, or a hundred aeons or a thousand aeons or any smaller number of aeons, if he is a future Ordinary Disciple, a future Disciple attains Enlightenment consisting of the Insight-Knowledge of the Path, which is understanding of the Four Noble Truths (Sāvaka-Bodhiñāṇa), with the help of a teacher who is a Buddha. The Noble Person who has thus attained Enlightenment of a Disciple (Sāvaka-Bodhi-ñāṇa) is called an Enlightened Disciple (Sāvaka-Buddha); he may have the status of a Chief Disciple, a Great Disciple or an Ordinary Disciple.