The concept and image of wisdom ('prajnaparamita'), which emerges in early Mahayana Buddhism reveals important distinctions from the Theravadin view of wisdom. These differences are explored--in terms of the role of intuition, the view of causality, and the relation of mind to matter. The connection between the insight of 'prajnaparamita' (perfection of wisdom) and the development in India of the mathematical concept of zero is pointed out, as well as the feminine imagery which is employed throughout.
