Prajna, knowing what is to be known,
in contemporary Japanese calligraphy

Prajna in
semi-cursive script

10" x 26"
27 x 66 cm

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This artwork shows HANNYA in Japanese, the equivalent of the Sanskrit word PRAJNA. The two kanji in this calligraphy of prajna are especially joyful. They convey a sense of going to a great feast, to a special place where the drum of dharma is beaten and the trumpet of wisdom, prajna is blown.

The Japanese word hannya is composed of two characters.
The first is HAN and the second one is NYAKU. Together they mean discriminating knowledge, prajna in Sanskrit. The root character of HAN is boat. The Buddhist teachings are often referred to as a boat that carries you to the other shore. To get to that shore you need prajna.

Prajna, knowing what is to be known, in contemporary Japanese calligraphy

Prajna, knowing what is to be known,
in contemporary Japanese calligraphy