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Prajna Wisdom
Prajñā (Sanskrit) or paññā (Pāli) means wisdom that is based on a realization of
dependent origination, The Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path. Prajñā is
the wisdom that is able to extinguish afflictions and bring about bodhi. It is
spoken of as the principal means, by its enlightenment, of attaining nirvāṇa,
through its revelation of the true nature of all things. Prajñā is also listed
as the sixth of the six pāramitās.
Initially, prajñā is attained at a conceptual level by means of listening to
sermons (dharma talks), reading and sometimes reciting Buddhist texts and
engaging in discourse. The Buddha taught dharma to his disciples mainly through
the mean of discourse or sermon,[citation needed] many attaining bodhi upon
hearing the Buddha's discourse.
Once the conceptual understanding is attained, it is applied to daily life so
that each Buddhist can verify the truth of the Buddha's teaching at a practical
level. Lastly, one engages in insight (vipassanā, Sanskrit vipaśyanā) meditation
(Citation needed) to attain such wisdom at intuitive level. It should be noted
that one could theoretically attain bodhi at any point of practice, while
listening to a sermon, while conducting business of daily life or while in
meditation.
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Four Noble Truths
Noble Eightfold Path
Bodhi
Refuge in the Three Jewels
Sila
Samadhi,
Vipassana, and Buddhist meditation
Prajñā
Wisdom
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Decline of Buddhism in India and
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Hinduism and Buddhism
Similarities between Hinduism and
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