In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Apramāṇaguṇa (अप्रमाणगुण) refers to the “innumerable qualities” (of the Buddha), according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[According to the Sarvāstivādin].—The Buddha affirms unobstructed penetration of the past, the future and the present. How can his word be wrong? Moreover, if there were no past or future and if there was only an instant of the present, the Buddha would never realize his innumerable qualities (apramāṇaguṇa) such as the ten knowledges (daśajñāna) or the ten [powers (daśabala). There cannot be ten simultaneous knowledges in one single mind. If that were the case, the Buddha would never fulfill the ten powers. This is how we know that there is a past and a future”.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Guna, Apramana.

Starts with: Apramanagunasagaraprabha.

Full-text: Dashajnana.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Apramanaguna, Apramāṇaguṇa, Apramāṇa-guṇa, Apramana-guna; (plurals include: Apramanagunas, Apramāṇaguṇas, guṇas, gunas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)

Part 1 - Definitions of Prajñāpāramitā < [Chapter XVII - The Virtue of Generosity]

Part 6 - Why the arhats surround the Buddha < [Chapter VI - The Great Bhikṣu Saṃgha]

Part 1.3 - The reward of the upāsaka < [Section II.1 - Morality of the lay person or avadātavasana]

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