Jnanabala, Jnana-bala, Jñānabala: 3 definitions

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
2. General definition
See also

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 Sastra

Jñānabala (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 Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Jñānabala (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”.

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.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

1) 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.

Relevant text

Search found 12 books and stories containing Jnanabala, Jnana-bala, Jñāna-bala, Jñānabala; (plurals include: Jnanabalas, balas, Jñānabalas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

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]

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Part 24.6 - Object of Jijnasa is Brahman

Part 24.7 - The Theory of Nirvisesha Brahman

Part 35.1 - Sripati's Conception of the Material World

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Verse 3.3.219 < [Chapter 3 - Mahāprabhu’s Deliverance of Sarvabhauma, Exhibition of His Six-armed Form, and Journey to Bengal]

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Thursday, July 18 < [Inspired Talks (1895)]

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