Prajñā (Sanskrit) or paññā (Pali) has been translated as "wisdom," "understanding," "discernment," "cognitive acuity," or "know-how." In some sects of Buddhism, it especially refers to the wisdom that is based on the direct realization of the Four Noble Truths, impermanence, interdependent origination, non-self, emptiness, etc. Prajñā is the wisdom that is able to extinguish afflictions and bring about enlightenment.
In the Pali Canon, paññā is d...
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Prajñā (Sanskrit) or paññā (Pali) has been translated as "wisdom," "understanding," "discernment," "cognitive acuity," or "know-how." In some sects of Buddhism, it especially refers to the wisdom that is based on the direct realization of the Four Noble Truths, impermanence, interdependent origination, non-self, emptiness, etc. Prajñā is the wisdom that is able to extinguish afflictions and bring about enlightenment.
In the Pali Canon, paññā is defined in a variety of overlapping ways, frequently centering on concentrated insight into the three characteristics (impermanence, suffering, no-self) of all things and the Four Noble Truths.
For instance, when elaborating upon the Five Spiritual Faculties (faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom), the Buddha describes paññā (here translated as "discernment") as follows:
Similarly, in discussing the Threefold Training of higher-virtue (adhi-sīla), higher-mind (adhi-citta) and higher-wisdom (or "heightened discernment," adhi-paññā...
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