Prajnaparamita is Sanskrit for "perfection of wisdom." In Mahayana Buddhism, the word wisdom usually points to "shunyata," or "emptiness." According to this teaching, nothing has intrinsic existence, and all phenomena are void of self-essence. However, it is incorrect to say that phenomena exist or don’t exist. Rather, things and beings have identity only in relation to each other.

"Prajnaparamita" is also the name of a collection of Mahayana Sutras that includes the Heart and Diamond Sutra. And it is the name of a goddess, sometimes called "Mother of the Buddhas," who represents wisdom. Through the wisdom of shunyata are buddhas born.

Personal note: I will be attending a weekend sesshin that begins Friday morning. In my absence please feel free to direct questions to the Buddhism forums, where there are wise forum participants who can provide very good answers. Happy Mother's Day to all us mothers! And don't forget Burma.

Photo Credit: Photo of 13th-century Java statue of Prajnaparamita from Indische Kunst (Berlin, 1925).