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Importance of Developing the Three Types Of Wisdom (Prajna)
The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Excerpted from the transcript of "Listening, Contemplation and Meditation: the Three Prajnas" (Karme Choling, VT, 1996).
Originally published in Bodhi Issue 2
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4 Good evening. The
three prajnas,
in relation to the practice of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, is our topic of discussion. Generally speaking, mindfulness in the path of the Mahayana tradition is regarded as wisdom, as transcendental knowledge, which is known as
prajna in Sanskrit. This prajna of mindfulness is divided into a three-stage process of development in the path of Buddhism. We have the
prajna of listening, the prajna of contemplating, and the prajna of meditation. This three-stage process develops the three prajnas, and the development of
these three prajnas is very crucial on our path. For that reason Gampopa, the great lineage holder and master of the Kagyu lineage, said in his instructions that if we combine these three prajnas together, if we
accumulate these three prajnas without missing any one, then we have a complete path. Then we are on the path. Not just on the path, but we are genuinely on the path, at that point. Gampopa said that when one adopts
these three prajnas, when one reveals or uncovers these three prajnas altogether, then one develops the genuine understanding, experience and realization of the path of the dharma. He said that if one is missing, any
one of these three, then one is not honestly on the path. One's path is not complete, and one's realization is not full and perfect. Therefore, the development of these three prajnas is very much emphasized in the path
of Buddhism in general, and specifically in the path of Mahayana Buddhism. 1 of 4 | 1, 2,
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