Significance of Buddha's knowledge
In Tibetan Buddhism, Buddha's knowledge is defined as a profound understanding unique to Buddhas, serving as a benchmark for self-knowledge and enlightenment. This knowledge encompasses insights into personal and others' impurities, surpasses ordinary comprehension, and includes wisdom regarding past existences and the nature of reality across three times. Similarly, Theravada teachings describe Buddha's knowledge as a deep insight into existence, suffering, and the conditioned world, which manifests during key life events, marking Buddha's enlightened state.
Synonyms: Buddha's wisdom, Enlightenment, Understanding, Insight, Awareness, Comprehension, Awakening., Spiritual understanding, Profound awareness, Sacred knowledge
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Buddha's knowledge'
Buddha's knowledge in Buddhism encompasses profound insights into existence, suffering, and consciousness, allowing him to understand past lives, cultivate inherent wisdom, and achieve a unique, comprehensive awareness that surpasses ordinary comprehension and guides others on the path to enlightenment.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The profound understanding possessed by the Buddha, allowing him to perceive the nature of the past, present, and future.[1] (2) The comprehensive understanding and insight that the Buddha possesses regarding all paths and their culminations.[2] (3) The profound understanding the Buddha attained concerning his previous existences and their causes and conditions.[3] (4) The unique, supreme understanding possessed by the Buddha, which encompasses the reality of all things and transcends the ordinary understandings of the arhats, pratyekabuddhas, and bodhisattvas.[4] (5) The comprehensive understanding possessed by the Buddha regarding beings' aspirations, characterized as intact and invincible.[5]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) The profound understanding possessed by the Buddha, which surpasses ordinary comprehension and is beyond worldly language.[6] (2) The profound insights and wisdom possessed by the Buddhas, which are key to attaining enlightenment.[7] (3) The profound understanding possessed by Buddhas, which cultivators should aspire to attain without being misled by false states.[8] (4) Understanding and wisdom that aligns with the enlightened state of Buddhas.[9] (5) The inherent wisdom and awareness all living beings possess, which can be realized and cultivated through dharma practice.[10]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The complete understanding of the conditioned world, living beings, and non-living things, attributed to lokavidu.[11] (2) The insight and understanding that informed the Buddha's decision to relinquish the life-maintaining mental process.[12] (3) The profound understanding and insight possessed by the Buddha, which manifests during significant life events, causing geological reactions such as earthquakes.[13]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) Refers to the profound understanding possessed by the Buddha regarding the nature of existence, rebirth, and the paths to enlightenment.[14]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) The understanding and insight of the Buddha concerning the nature of existence and suffering.[15]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) This pertains to the profound understanding possessed by revered Buddhas, which serves as a benchmark for attaining self-knowledge.[16] (2) The exclusive wisdom attributed to Buddha as a singularly enlightened being, distinct from others who may also hold valid insights into the true nature of reality.[17]