Prajña (Sanskrit) is the sixth of the six paramitas (perfections) in the Buddhist concept in following the Bodhisattva path. It is referred as “wisdom” or “understanding”, that is able to extinguish afflictions and bring about enlightenment. Simply stated, it is the field of pure consciousness beyond concepts, beliefs and imaginations.

Prajña in Mahayana, Vajrayana and Theravada Traditions

In Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions, Prajña means the realization of the emptiness of all phenomenal existence. At this stage (Bodhisattva path), the individual would have reached the stage of sainthood and could have entered Nirvana if he so wished. However, out of compassion, this entry is prolonged and deferred to a time when all suffering beings have already been led towards enlightenment. Prajña is therefore balanced by Karuna (compassion) which is the part and parcel of the conception of wisdom. This motivates the perfection of wisdom – which is the conceptualization of five qualities (giving, morality, patience, vigor, meditation).

The Prajña-paramita Sutras of the Mahayanas, such as the Heart Sutra and the Diamond Sutra, describes it as supreme, highest, incomparable, unequalled, and unsurpassed essence. Both traditions focuses a lot on “emptiness” while meditating.

For the Theravada Buddhists, Prajña means to gain an intuitive understanding of the Four Noble Truths, Dependent Origination and the Law of Karma. Insight or Vipassana (meditation), like the other traditions, is the means to attain such wisdom. Through diligent practice, the meditation reveals the inherent suffering, impermanence and absence of self in all phenomena thus leading one to see reality.

The Three Prajñas:

The Mahayanas are believed to be the first to effectively conceptualize the Prajña. There are three levels of Prajñas related to the practice of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness – contemplations of the body, feelings, minds, and mental objects. This Prajña of mindfulness is a three-stage process of development in the path of Buddhism – the Prajña of listening; the Prajña of contemplating; and the Prajña of meditation.

The first stage, the Prajña of listening or studying the Dharma is totally dependent on conceptual mind, on communication, language and form. In this stage of hearing, listening, or studying, one is believed to develop the Prajña of understanding.

The second stage, the Prajña of contemplating, is what a person goes through the process of internalizing that received knowledge and understanding. In this stage, one is believed to have completely absorbed and understood the Buddha's teachings that one becomes a living reference to the teachings.

The third stage, the Prajña of meditation is marked by the development of realization. Also known as the stage of "resting meditation", one is believed go beyond conceptual meditation and rest in the actual state of non-dual experience. This is considered as the realization of the genuine Prajña of realization which helps in the development of Mindfulness, and thus finally the development of the stage of awareness.

These according to the Sutta-Satipatthana are the Buddha’s teachings on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, for attaining purity, overcoming suffering, and the realization of Nirvana.