Prajñā (Sanskrit; Pali: paññā; Tibetan: shes rab, Chinese: 般若, banruo) meaning "wisdom," "cognitive acuity;" or "know-how" -- but especially the Buddhist wisdom that is based on a realization of dependent origination, not-self, emptiness, etc. Prajñā is the wisdom that is able to extinguish afflictions and bring about enlightenment. The Prajñā-pāramitā Sutras, such as the Heart Sutra, describe it as supreme, highest, incomparable, unequalled, and unsurpassed. It is spoken of as the principal means, by its enlightenment, of attaining nirvana, through its revelation of the true nature of all things. Prajñā is also listed as the sixth of the six paramitas.
External links
- Digital Dictionary of Buddhism http://www.acmuller.net/cgi-bin/search-ddb4.pl?Terms=般若 (log in with userID "guest")
Last updated: 02-08-2005 15:18:02