Wisdom
Wisdom translates two different Sanskrit and Tibetan terms:
- (Skt. prajña; Tib. sherab; shes rab), the sixth of the six paramitas, defined as the precise discernment of all things and events.
- (Skt. jñana; Tib. yeshe; ye shes), which is sometimes translated as primordial wisdom. One of the two accumulations.
Prajña/Sherab
Etymology
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche says:
- "Sherab consists of the syllable shé, which means ‘knowing’ and rab which means ‘excellent’ or ‘best’. So it is the best knowledge, the best form of knowing. It is knowing correctly, clearly and fully."
Definition
Patrul Rinpoche says:
- "Wisdom is identified as the recognition during the formal meditation session that all phenomena are empty, and the knowledge during the post-meditation phase that all phenomena are unreal, like a magical illusion or a dream."
Subdivisions
Chökyi Drakpa says:
- "Through the wisdom that comes from hearing, you are able to recognize the disturbing emotions. Then, through the wisdom that comes from reflection, you are able to overcome the disturbing emotions temporarily. And finally, through the wisdom that comes through meditation, you conquer completely the enemy of negative emotions and obtain the confidence of knowing inexpressible and inconceivable reality with the wisdom of discriminating awareness."
Jñana/Yeshe
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche says:
- "In the word yeshé, yé is short for yé né, which means ‘right from the beginning’ or ‘primordially’. Some people translate it as ‘pristine’ or pure, meaning that it is untouched and unstained, and has been there all the time. It is the way it always was. So yeshé is discovered with sherab. Yeshé is understood by sherab, or approached by sherab."