Jnanabala, Jñānabala, Jnana-bala: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Jnanabala means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraJñānabala (ज्ञानबल) or Daśabala refers to the “ten powers” of the Bodhisattva, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 39. By using these ten types of powers (daśabala), the Buddha saves beings. True and free of error, all are perfected (saṃpanna). This is why, although the Buddha possesses innumerable powers, we speak only of these ten powers.
Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the GaganagañjaparipṛcchāJñānabala (ज्ञानबल) refers to the “power of one’s knowledge”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, as the Bodhisattva Maitreya addressed himself to the Lord: “[...] If, Lord, the partisans of the māra were to attack, even further, if the root of goods were to fill up every pore of my whole body, and then if all living beings in the world system of three thousand worlds were to become the wicked Māras, they do not approach even a hundredth part of the root of goods in one of the pores and so on, until nor do they approach even the likeness of it. O Lord, as all regions of Māras were conquered by the power of my merits and the power of my knowledge (jñānabala), this awakening will be protected by the Tathāgata for countless millions”.
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.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha1) Jñānabala (ज्ञानबल) or simply Jñāna refers to the “strength of knowledge” and represents one of the “ten strengths of the Bodhisattvas” (bala) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 75). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., jñāna-bala). The work is attributed to Nagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
2) Jñānabala (ज्ञानबल) refers to the “ten strengths of a Realised One” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 76):
- sthānāsthāna (the strength of knowing the possible and impossible),
- karmavipāka (the strength of knowing deeds and results),
- nānādhātu (the strength of knowing the various elements),
- nānādhimukti (the strength of knowing the various inclinations),
- sattvendriyaparāpara (the strength of knowing the faculties of beings, near and far),
- sarvatragāminīpratipatti (the strength of knowing the practice that leads to all destinations),
- dhyānavimokṣasamādhisamāpatti (the strength of knowing the absorptions, liberations, concentrations, attainments)
- pūrvanivāsānusmṛti (the strength of knowing the recollection of his manifold past existences),
- cyutyutpatti (the strength of knowing the passing away and arising (of beings)),
- āsravakṣaya (and the strength of knowing the destruction of the pollutants).
The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., jñāna-bala). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Jnanabalaparvatateja.
Ends with: Asravakshayajnanabala, Chyutyutpattijnanabala, Cyutyutpattijnanabala, Dhyanavimokshasamadhisamapattijnanabala, Karmavipakajnanabala, Nanadhatujnanabala, Nanadhimuktijnanabala, Purvanivasanusmritijnanabala, Sarvatragaminipratipattijnanabala, Sattvendriyaparaparajnanabala, Sthanasthanajnanabala, Vishvashraddhajnanabala.
Full-text (+41): Sthanasthanajnanabala, Sarvatragaminipratipattijnanabala, Dasabala, Nanadhatujnanabala, Vishvashraddhajnanabala, Nanadhimuktijnanabala, Dhyanavimokshasamadhisamapattijnanabala, Karmavipakajnanabala, Asravakshayajnanabala, Purvanivasanusmritijnanabala, Sattvendriyaparaparajnanabala, Cyutyutpattijnanabala, Nanadhimukti, Sthanasthana, Karmavipaka, Asravakshaya, Anubodha, Nanadhatu, Sarvatragaminipratipad, Bala.
Relevant text
Search found 6 books and stories containing Jnanabala, Jñānabala, Jnana-bala, Jñāna-bala; (plurals include: Jnanabalas, Jñānabalas, balas). 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)
Note (2): Lists of Jñānabalas < [Chapter XXXIX - The Ten Powers of the Buddha according to the Abhidharma]
V. Why the Buddha eliminates the traces < [VIII. Destroying the traces of the conflicting emotions]
VIII. The knowledge of former abodes (pūrvanivāsa-jñānabala) < [Part 2 - The ten powers in particular]
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 3.3.219 < [Chapter 3 - Mahāprabhu’s Deliverance of Sarvabhauma, Exhibition of His Six-armed Form, and Journey to Bengal]
Shrimad Bhagavad-gita (by Narayana Gosvami)
Verse 11.38 < [Chapter 11 - Viśvarūpa-darśana-yoga (beholding the Lord’s Universal Form)]
Verse 13.15 < [Chapter 13 - Prakṛti-puruṣa-vibhāga-yoga]
Siddhanta Sangraha of Sri Sailacharya (by E. Sowmya Narayanan)
Shri Gaudiya Kanthahara (by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati)