Grammatical Analysis
Gotrabhūñāṇa: [nt.] Change-of-lineage knowledge; maturity knowledge. Formed by gotra (lineage, family, species) + bhū (become, reached, born into) + ñāṇa (knowledge).
Orthodox Definition
Gotrabhūñāṇa is one of the most mechanically precise concepts in Theravāda Abhidhamma. It is a single, momentous flash of consciousness that marks the absolute boundary between an unawakened worldling (puthujjana) and a noble one (ariya).
Occurring immediately after conformity knowledge (anulomañāṇa), this single mind-moment is the very first time the mind takes Nibbāna as its object. However, because it only sees Nibbāna without yet destroying any defilements, it is still classified as a mundane (lokiya) consciousness. Its sole function is to sever the heritage of the worldling and plunge into the lineage of the Noble Ones. Once this moment passes, it is immediately followed by the supramundane Path consciousness.
Textual References
- Abhidhamma: Puggalapaññatti – Defining the individual who possesses this specific knowledge.
- Canonical: Paṭisambhidāmagga – Analyzing how the mind shifts from conditioned objects to the unconditioned signless element.
- Commentary: Visuddhimagga (Chapter XXII) – The simile of a man swinging on a rope across a chasm; gotrabhū is the exact moment he lets go of the starting side but has not yet landed on the far side.