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THE DOCTRINE OF LIBERATION IN INDIAN RELIGIONS
includes omniscience. He who has attained Buddhahood knows all that is to be known. In the first place a Buddha acquires five kinds of superknowledges (abhijña). These are as follows:
1. Divine ear (divya-śrota)
2. Divine vision (divya-cakṣu).
3. Knowledge of the thoughts of others (paracitta-jñāna). 4. Memory of the former existences (pūrvanivāsānusmṛti).
5. Knowledge of the destruction of impurities (asravakşayajñāna).
The Buddhists revere the Buddha in the following words:
"He is indeed the Glorious One, the Holy One, Rightly Awakened One, Endowed with perfect wisdom and good conduct, the Well Gone, Knower of the world, Incomparable, Tamer of the men to be tamed; Teacher of gods and men, the Awakened, the Glorious."
These words sum up the moral and spiritual perfections of the Buddha. In many Buddhist texts are described the ten intellectual powers of the Buddha. These powers throw additional light on the attainments of the Buddha. They are as follows:
1. He knows what is possible as possible, and what is impossible as impossible.
2. He knows the ripening of karmas past, present and future.
3. He knows whither all paths (of conduct) lead.
4. He knows the many and various elements or factors of the world (existence).
5. He knows the varieties of individuals.
6. He knows the faculties of other beings, whether quick or
slow etc.
7. He knows the impurity, purity and growth of the trances, releases, concentrations and attainments.
8. He know numberless former existences.
9. With His divine eye, He sees beings passing away and beings reborn according to their karma.
10. With the destruction of the asavas He has of Himself attained and realised release of mind and knowledge in this life and abides in it.55
55. Edward J. Thomas, The History of Buldhist Thought, p. 149.
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