Five superknowledges, Five supernormal powers: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Five superknowledges 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

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Five superknowledges in Tibetan Buddhism glossary
Source: Google Books: The Crystal Mirror of Philosophical Systems

The Five Supernormal Powers are known in Tibetan as mngon shes lnga. They are the five mundane attainments.—Accordingly, [while describing the history of the non-Buddhist extremists]: During the period of measureless lifespans there lived a seer called Kapila (“Yellow-White”), who had long yellow-white hair and possessed the Five Supernormal Powers. Relying on his innate wisdom, he composed many texts. His followers were known as Sāṃkhyas (“Enumerators”) or Kāpilīyas. [...]

The Five Supernormal Powers are:

  1. retro-cognition,
  2. clairvoyance,
  3. clairaudience,
  4. telepathy,
  5. various physical powers.
Tibetan Buddhism book cover
context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

Discover the meaning of five superknowledges in the context of Tibetan Buddhism from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Five superknowledges in Buddhism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

Five Deep Knowledges:—A technical term in Buddhism corresponding to the Sanskrit pañcābhijñā defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 20):

  1. The divine eye (divyacakṣus),
  2. The divine ear (divyaśrotra),
  3. Knowledge of others’ minds (paracittajñāna),
  4. Recollection of previous lives (pūrvanivāsānusmṛti),
  5. Spiritual power (ṛddhi).

The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., pañca-abhijñā, ‘five deep knowledges’). The work is attributed to Nagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

See also (Relevant definitions)

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