Sunday, January 2, 2011

a bit more on Prajna

Prajna, in many cases, can safely be [translated as] 'faith': not a belief in revealed truths, but a sort of immediate knowledge gained by intuitive intelligence. [Moreover] Prajna corresponds in some respects to 'wisdom': meaning the foundation of all reasonings and experiences.

--- from "Outlines of Mahayana Buddhism" by D. T. Suzuki

4 comments:

  1. Often, Prajna is simply translated as Wisdom, which is usually pretty unhelpful.

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  2. I have understood it as meaning Trancendental Wisdom.That it transcends all conventional means and logic of knowing.What do you think?

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  3. I, too, have seen it translated that way. I'd say that the "problem" with calling it (Transcendental) Wisdom is that it makes it sound like someTHING remote.

    One of the ancient Ch'an masters asked, "What is there that is NOT Prajna?" So, translations that point to it's "immanence" as well, would seem more helpful.

    The way that Wei Wu Wei and Wayne Liquorman use the term 'Apperceiving' is a synonym. I have posted some quotes @ 'Apperceiving' that you may find valuable.

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  4. Yes,I see what you mean.Their is a subtle introduction of disunity with the word 'Trancendental'.

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