Overview

While ordinary Arahats possess profound wisdom, a Fully Awakened Buddha possesses an intellect of unparalleled scope. The Paṭisambhidāmagga outlines fourteen specific analytical knowledges. Eight of these are shared with his great disciples, but six are exclusive to the Buddha alone, constituting his absolute omniscience.

The List

The 8 Shared Knowledges:

  1. Knowledge of the meaning (Truths).
  2. Knowledge of the Dhamma (Causality).
  3. Knowledge of language (Nirutti).
  4. Knowledge of perspicuity (Paṭibhāna).
  5. Knowledge of the ways of insight (Vipassanā).
  6. Knowledge of the psychic powers (Iddhi).
  7. Knowledge of the Divine Ear.
  8. Knowledge of reading minds.

The 6 Exclusive Buddha-Knowledges (Asādhāraṇa-ñāṇa):

  1. Indriyaparopariyatta-ñāṇa: Knowing the supreme exactness of the spiritual faculties of all beings.
  2. Āsayānusaya-ñāṇa: Knowing the hidden dispositions and latent tendencies of all beings.
  3. Yamakapāṭihīra-ñāṇa: The knowledge to perform the Twin Miracle (emitting fire and water simultaneously).
  4. Mahākaruṇāsamāpatti-ñāṇa: The knowledge of the attainment of Great Compassion, surveying the world twice daily to rescue beings.
  5. Sabbaññuta-ñāṇa: Absolute omniscience; knowing whatever he wishes to know.
  6. Anāvaraṇa-ñāṇa: Unobstructed knowledge; nothing can block his vision.

Textual References

  • Abhidhamma: Paṭisambhidāmagga (Ñāṇakathā) – The extensive canonical analysis of the Buddha’s intellect.

Updated: