Grammatical Analysis
Paccavekkhaṇañāṇa: [nt.] Reviewing knowledge; retrospective knowledge. Formed by paccavekkhaṇa (looking back, reviewing, reflecting) + ñāṇa (knowledge).
Orthodox Definition
Immediately after the supramundane cognitive sequence (Path and Fruition) concludes and the mind drops back into the mundane life-continuum (bhavaṅga), the practitioner naturally engages in Paccavekkhaṇañāṇa.
This is a mundane cognitive process where the newly awakened disciple retrospectively evaluates their achievement. A noble disciple typically reviews five things:
- The Path they just traversed.
- The Fruition they just attained.
- The Defilements that have been destroyed.
- The Defilements that still remain (except for an Arahat, who has none).
- Nibbāna, the object they just penetrated.
This knowledge provides absolute psychological certainty of their attainment, ensuring they do not need to rely on faith or an external teacher to confirm their awakening.
Textual References
- Canonical: Paṭisambhidāmagga – The structural classification of the 19 specific types of reviewing knowledges across the four stages of awakening.
- Commentary: Visuddhimagga (Chapter XXII) – The concluding cognitive processes mapping the aftermath of realization.