“Bát Nhã Thoàn”, refers to wisdom, generally using the boat of enlightenment to cross over delusion, in other words, the world is full of temptations.
BÁT NHÃ THOÀN: Also read as the Prajna boat. Bát Nhã is the transliteration of the Sanskrit (Scr.) Prajna, a special term in Buddhism, encompassing many meanings, succinctly translated as Wisdom, which is pure and clear. Bát Nhã has three aspects:
1.- True aspect of Bát Nhã: The luminous spiritual intelligence, permanent and unchanging in every sentient being (self-awareness).
2.- Contemplative Bát Nhã: The clear and penetrating intellect that discerns all phenomena; practitioners open it through calm reflection and meditation.
3.- Scriptural Bát Nhã: The clarity and understanding of meanings, profound and mysterious in Buddhist criptures; practitioners achieve it through extensive study, listening, collecting, and researching.
It is called Bát Nhã a boat because wisdom has the miraculous power to guide oneself and others from the shore of delusion to the shore of enlightenment. It is one of the six “Perfections (Paramitas)” commonly practiced by Bodhisattvas. The Master once said:
“The Prajña boat I hold the helm, Determined to take people from the shore of delusion.”
(Diệu Pháp Quang Minh) In the Sutra of Guidance, the Buddha teaches:
“Wisdom (Prajña) is a sturdy boat, not a single wave of desire can sink it; it skillfully takes people across the sea of birth, aging, sickness, and death. It is a miraculous medicine that heals all diseases caused by emotions and the six desires, etc.… It is the utmost radiant torch.
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