prajn

Prajn is a term derived from Sanskrit, commonly translated as wisdom, intelligence, or insight. It is a significant concept in various Indian philosophical and religious traditions, most notably in Hinduism and Buddhism. In these contexts, prajn is not merely intellectual understanding but a deeper, intuitive grasp of reality, often attained through meditation, ethical living, and spiritual practice.

In Buddhism, prajnaparamita, or "perfection of wisdom," is a central teaching. It refers to the profound understanding of emptiness (sunyata) and the non-dual nature of reality. This wisdom is considered the ultimate antidote to suffering, as it cuts through ignorance and attachment. It is often personified as a female deity, Prajnaparamita, the mother of all Buddhas.

In Hinduism, prajn is associated with the faculty of discernment and the ability to differentiate between the real and the unreal, the eternal and the ephemeral. It is often linked with consciousness (chit) and the realization of the self (atman). The Bhagavad Gita discusses the importance of prajn in achieving liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

The attainment of prajn is seen as a transformative process that leads to clarity, equanimity, and liberation. It is cultivated through study, contemplation, and direct experience, moving beyond mere intellectual knowledge to a lived realization of truth.