Can enlightenment be attained through words? "Understanding Prajnā" addresses this perennial issue in the study of mysticism through the work of Sengzhao (374-414), a Buddhist scholar-monk whose essay on "prajnā" (-wisdom-) created a sensation in early medieval China. Drawing on contemporary hermeneutic theory, this book presents a close reading of Sengzhao's work, placing it in proper context while highlighting his masterful techniques for conveying -wisdom- beyond ordinary language. "Understanding Prajnā" includes translations of Sengzhao's essay and his correspondence with Liu Yimin, a -hermit-scholar- who yearned to grasp the Buddha's sage wisdom."