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Abhijñā

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Abhijna (Skt.; Pali, abhiñña) in Buddhism is higher or spiritual knowledge obtained through virtuous living and meditation. These higher knowledges include worldly extra-sensory abilities (such as seeing past and future lives) as well as the supramundane extinction of all mental defilements.

In the Pali Canon

In the Pali Canon, the higher knowledges are typically enumerated in a group of six or of three types of knowledge.

The six types of higher knowledges (chalabhiñña) are:

  1. "Higher powers" (iddhi-vidhā), such as walking on water and through walls;
  2. "Divine ear" (dibba-sota), that is, clairaudience;
  3. "Mind-penetrating knowledge" (ceto-pariya-ñāṇa), that is, telepathy;
  4. "Remember one's former abodes" (pubbe-nivāsanussati), that is, recalling ones own past lives;
  5. "Divine eye" (dibba-cakkhu), that is, knowing others' karmic destinations; and,
  6. "Extinction of mental intoxicants" (āsavakkhaya), upon which arahantship. follows[1]

The attainment of these six higher powers is mentioned in a number of discourses, most famously the "Fruits of Contemplative Life Discourse" (Samaññaphala Sutta, DN 2).[2] The first five powers are obtained through meditative concentration (samadhi) while the sixth is obtained through insight (vipassana). The sixth type is the ultimate goal of Buddhism, which is the end of all suffering and destruction of all ignorance.[3]

Similarly, the three knowledges or wisdoms (tevijja or tivijja) are:

  1. "Remember one's former abodes" (pubbe-nivāsanussati);
  2. "Divine eye" (dibba-cakkhu); and,
  3. "Extinction of mental intoxicants" (āsavakkhaya).[4]

The three knowledges are mentioned in numerous discourses including the Maha-Saccaka Sutta (MN 36) in which the Buddha describes obtaining each of these three knowledges on the first, second and third watches respectively of the night of his enlightenment. These forms of knowledge typically are listed as arising after the attainment of the fourth jhana.[5]

While such powers are considered to be indicative of spiritual progress, Buddhism cautions against their indulgence or exhibition since such could divert one from the true path of obtaining suffering's release.[6]

Parallels in other cultures

The first five types of Abhijna, are similar to the siddhis of yoga, mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam and by Patanjali:[7]

  • Knowing the past, present and future;
  • Tolerance of heat, cold and other dualities;
  • Knowing the minds of others;
  • Checking the influence of fire, sun, water, poison, and so on;
  • Remaining unconquered by others.

See also

References

  1. ^ Orientalia (2007); Rhys Davids & Stede (1921-5), pp. 64-65, 115-116, 121-122, 272, 288-289, 372, 432; Thanissaro (1997).
  2. ^ Thanissaro (1997). Other discourses that mention the six types of higher knowledge include the Kevatta Sutta (DN 11), the Lohicca Sutta (DN 12) and the Mahasakuludayi Sutta (MN 77).
  3. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica (2007).
  4. ^ See, for instance, Rhys Davids & Stede (1921-25), pp. 307, 617.
  5. ^ Thanissaro (1998). Other discourses that mention the three include the Tevijja Sutta (DN 13) and the Bhaya-bherava Sutta (MN 4).
  6. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica (2007).
  7. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica (2007).

Sources


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