Concept of Divinity in Jainism

Author(s): P Ajay Kothari
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 81

Buddhas are of three types : 1) Shravaka Buddha, 2) Pacceka Buddha, and 3) Sammasam-Buddha.
Shravaka Buddha : It is one who attains emancipation with the aid of master or teachings of master. They are sometimes called Arhat. He does not preach the people.
Pacceka.Buddha or Pratyek Buddha : He is self made Buddha because he attains liberation by his own wisdom and efforts without the aid of any teacher. After attaining the enlightenment Pratyek Buddha does not preach the Dhamma.93
Sammasam-Buddha : He who attains Nibbana by own efforts and wisdom, without the aid of any preceptor, is called Sammasam-Buddha. He expounds the four noble truths to the seekers of peace, world at large. He, the perfect being, is most compassionate and most loving. 94 It is one who is Omniscient and teaches the path of Nibhana, divinity.95 There were innumerable Buddhas who had preached Dhamma before Gautama Buddha.96
The word Buddha means 'knower', 'wise', 'awakened' and 'enlightened'. Ignorance (avidya) is the root cause of bondage and suffering; can be eradicated and perfect ireedom can be attained through perfect wisdom (prajna). The Buddha is also called. Tathagata'. This word literally means “thus came', or 'thus gone' in a sense that He has come to Nirvana or He has arrived at ultimate reality. The word Tathagata is translated as the Transcendent One.97 In the Buddhist texts hundreds of epithets - or attributes of the Buddha are found. Some of these are — the compassionate One Teacher, the Liberated One, the Glorious One, the Conqueror of Death, Svayambhu, the Holiness Embodied, Truth Embodied, etc..
He who has attained Buddhatva, the divinity, knows all. Buddha possess five kinds of super knowledge or divine attributes.98 They are :
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THE CONCEPT OF DIVINITY IN JAINISM
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