GNOSIS AND DHARMA

Jñāna pāramitā (knowledge perfection) represents the last of the daśa pāramitā (ten perfections) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha, an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit. Jñāna refers to the “highest knowledge” as discussed in the first chapter of the Jñānā Mṛtasārasaṃhita, a text representing a glorification of Kṛṣṇa and Rādha, in which Śiva praises spiritual knowledge (jñāna) that leads to service of Kṛiṣṇa as the Source of all Being. In contrast to prajñā (wisdom), which may be either worldly or transmundane, jñāna (transcendental knowledge) usually connotes a realization of the nature of things that is profound and liberating. The “accumulation” of jñāna on the bodhisattva path eventuates in the attainment of dharmakāya. Gnosis is the Greek equivalent term for jñāna. It is best known for its implication within Gnosticism, where it signifies a spiritual knowledge or insight into humanity's real nature as divine, leading to the deliverance of the divine spark within humanity from the constraints of earthly existence.