Perfection of Wisdom

Prajñaparamita means "the Perfection of (Transcendent) Wisdom" in Mahayana Buddhism. Prajñaparamita refers to this perfected way of seeing the nature of reality, as well as to a particular body of sutras and to the personification of the concept in the Bodhisattva known as the "Great Mother" (Tibetan: Yum Chenmo). The word Prajñaparamita combines the Sanskrit words prajña "wisdom" with paramita "perfection". Prajñaparamita is a central concept in Mahayana Buddhism and is generally associated with the doctrine of emptiness (Shunyata) or 'lack of Svabhava' (essence) and the works of Nagarjuna. Its practice and understanding are taken to be indispensable elements of the Bodhisattva path.