Overview
A Fully Awakened Buddha possesses specific intellectual and psychic powers that far exceed those of an ordinary Arahat. These Ten Powers (Tathāgatabala) constitute the absolute omniscience of a Buddha regarding kamma, the universe, and the minds of beings, allowing him to “roar his lion’s roar” in the assemblies.
The List
- Knowledge of the possible and impossible: Knowing exactly what causes can and cannot produce specific results.
- Knowledge of kammic results: Knowing the exact ripening of past, present, and future kamma for all beings.
- Knowledge of the ways leading to all destinations: Knowing exactly which path leads to hell, heaven, or Nibbāna.
- Knowledge of the world with its many elements: Understanding the complex physical and mental elements of the cosmos.
- Knowledge of the different inclinations of beings: Knowing the varying desires and temperaments of individuals.
- Knowledge of the faculties of beings: Knowing whether another being’s spiritual faculties (faith, wisdom, etc.) are sharp or dull.
- Knowledge of the defilements and purification: Knowing the exact mechanics of the jhānas and liberations.
- Knowledge of past lives: Recalling his own countless previous existences.
- Knowledge of the passing away and rebirth of beings: The Divine Eye, seeing how beings fare according to their kamma.
- Knowledge of the destruction of the taints: The absolute experiential realization that his own defilements are permanently eradicated.
Textual References
- Canonical: Mahāsīhanāda Sutta (MN 12) – The Buddha lists these ten powers to Ven. Sāriputta to prove his unsurpassed awakening.