Prajnaparamita: The Mother of All Buddhas

Background and significance

Prajnaparamita, also known as  "Perfection of Wisdom", is not only a principle — she is also personified as a female deity in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Buddhas are born from wisdom(body), "prajñā", which is thought of as her child, and she is known as the Mother of all Buddhas. Her teachings provide the philosophical foundation of Mahayana thinking, particularly concerning the void formless emptiness, Śūnyatā, which posits that all phenomena, things that arise due to karma, and our perceptions do not exist. 

Prajnaparamita is central to one of the most comprehensive scripts of Buddhism, the Prajnaparamita Sutras, which contain works such as the Heart Sutra and the Diamond Sutra, to name a few. The sutras indicate the ways Prajnaparamita describes reality that refuses all duality, urging direct experience of truth through wisdom, rather than a fixation with form or theory.

Prajnaparamita represents a seeing, nurturing form of transcendent empirical wisdom, as opposed to what we commonly know as knowledge. The representation is profoundly meditative, serene, and vast, reminding practitioners that wisdom guides them from obscured understanding to liberation. In Tantric practices, she exists as both a divinity and a meditation visualization (yidam), being invoked as a means to open the mind to formless awareness.

Iconography of Prajnaparamita

Prajnaparamita is almost universally illustrated as a golden goddess, regal and self-possessed, seated in meditation, yet dignified and still.

1. Book of Wisdom (Prajnaparamita Sutra):  

Usually shown being physically held or placed atop a lotus, the sacred text of the heart of all Mahayana wisdom teachings.

2. Gesture of Teaching (Dharmachakra Mudra):  

Her hands may be in the mudra representing turning the wheel of dharma, the transmission of ultimate spiritual truth. 

3. Multiple arms:  

In some esoteric forms, she may be depicted with four or more arms, holding a vajra, a lotus, a rosary, and scriptures, which represent aspects of wisdom and practice.

4. Crown and ornamental:  

The five jewels of her crown represent the five wisdoms and five teachings of Dhyani Buddhas related to enlightened awareness. 

5. Lotus throne:  

Often shown sitting, yet not resting, she is depicted seated upon a lotus, representing her being neither pure nor attached to the delusion of being a sentient being, conveyed through experience, nor uncaring regarding how this pure state may purposefully benefit beings trapped in the delusions they follow.

Associated Practices and Mantras

Prajnaparamita is invoked for clarity in meditation and insight into emptiness. Her practices form the central lineages of advanced academic study and Tantric meditations on formless wisdom. 

“Gate Gate Pāragate Pārasaṃgate Bodhi Svāhā” 

This unique mantra encapsulates the essence of the Prajnaparamita teachings, guiding practitioners to transcend conceptual understanding and merge into the direct experience of enlightenment. By reciting this mantra, they aim to overcome fear, duality, and attachment, thereby awakening to the non-dual reality.

Prajnaparamita Statues

Prajnaparamita Statues Collection

Our collection of Prajnaparamita statues embodies the sacred beauty of this icon of wisdom, and these statues would be most welcome to anyone whose practice focuses on the study of emptiness, the perfection of wisdom, or is engaged in sustained periods of meditative or academic inquiry on a Dharma topic. 

All statues are artfully hand-crafted in Nepal using traditional iconography of Prajnaparamita. They preserve the serenity, insight, and poise of this sacred female figure.

Explore Our Handcrafted Prajnaparamita Statues

Invite the calming presence of the Mother of All Buddhas, Prajnaparamita, into your sacred space. She embodies the pinnacle of wisdom, illuminating the path of awakening through wisdom, insight, and non-dual understanding. Our exquisite statues are handcrafted by skilled Nepali artisans, utilizing traditional iconography to portray her elegance, grace, extraordinary beauty, and profound spiritual symbolism.

Each statue of Prajnaparamita is crafted from high-quality materials, including fire-gilded copper, oxidized bronze, or antique-finished alloys, with many featuring intricate inlaid turquoises, corals, or lapis. The statues are well-suited for study, meditation, or placement as a Dharma shrine, and make an excellent companion for those pursuing transformative realization, education, or as a visual focus for emptiness meditation. Perhaps you intend to incorporate her energy into your day-to-day life as a practitioner and wish to make her presence known in your environment; in that case, you will appreciate the beauty and endless inspiration that Prajnaparamita directly offers.

Why choose a Prajnaparamita statue?

1. A Total Gesture of Ultimate Wisdom:

Prajnaparamita represents the highest realization of emptiness and truth, deeming it crucial to liberation.

2. Supports Study and Insight meditation:

Having a sacred image dedicated to Prajnaparamita encourages not only your sustained study but also fosters insight that dissolves conceptual hindrances.

3. Symbol of Female Energy of Enlightenment:

Prajnaparamita is grounded in the sacred feminine of Buddhist cosmology; she represents the female energy that nurtures and gives birth to all Buddhas. 

4. A Gesture to the Dharma:

These statues make an excellent addition to your altar or study areas, serving as a reminder to see beyond the air we breathe, the present moment, unmingled, and allow further settling rest to expand into the present and relativity.