Archives: Glossary Terms

Pp

P is represented by a step stool.

Prabhavapyaya

Let this word be understood as a place or plane where all things originate and dissolve. Nevertheless, it is necessary to emphasize the transcendental idea that Prabhavapyaya is neither the “Mother of the World,” nor the womb of the Cosmos, nor the material cause of our planet Earth.

Prajna

Loosely translated means “wisdom.” More accurately, it is knowledge (-jna) that is superior (pra-) or beyond the common level.

(Sanskrit, “discriminative awareness,” “consciousness” or “wisdom.” In Tibetan, shes rab) Literally “perfect knowledge.”

    <li>In Hinduism: The third of the four states of the consciousness of Atman. In the Mandukya Upanishad, Prajna is described as a state of blissful, cognizant, dreamless sleep.
  1. In Buddhism: This term is defined by its context; it can mean intuitive wisdom, understanding, intelligence, discrimination, or judgment. In Buddhist philosophy, prajna describes the faculty of discriminative awareness that can see the true nature – the emptiness or void – of all things. Prajna is the highest paramita (conscious attitude or virtue).

Prajnaparamita

(Sanskrit) Literally, “the perfection of wisdom.”

1. The Prajnaparamita type of vision in its more elevated degree is the same “Eye of Dangma,” the Polyvision that one acquires when the ego is 100% dead.

2. The Prajnaparamita Sutra, also known as the Heart Sutra, is the source of the famous mantra Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Swaha.

3. In Mahayana Buddhism, Prajnaparamita refers also to the literature which outlines the mahayana path and the teachings on emptiness.