Abhijñā

Abhijñā (Sanskrit: “higher knowledge,” “supernormal knowledge”) is a concept in Buddhist psychology referring to the six types of transcendent knowledge attained by advanced practitioners.

Overview

The six abhijñās are: clairvoyance (divya-cakṣus), clairaudience (divya-śrotra), knowledge of others’ minds (para-citta-vijñāna), remembrance of past lives (pūrva-nivāsānusmṛti), the divine ear, and the destruction of the mental āsravas (āsrava-kṣaya).

Philosophical Context

The abhijñās are described in the Pāli Canon (DN 2, MN 12) as powers developed through deep meditation, particularly the fourth jhāna. The first five are considered mundane (lokottara) powers that may arise as by-products of meditative concentration. The sixth, the destruction of the āsravas (mental pollutants), is supramundane and constitutes the actual liberation from saṃsāra. The Buddha himself demonstrated these powers but cautioned against attachment to them, considering them distractions from the true goal of liberation. In Abhidhamma analysis, the first five abhijñās are associated with the iddhipāda (bases of spiritual power) and the jhāna factors.

Interpretations

In Theravāda Buddhism, the abhijñās are attainable in principle by any sufficiently advanced meditator. In Mahāyāna Buddhism, the supernatural powers are more freely attributed to Buddhas and bodhisattvas. In Vajrayāna, the abhijñās are sometimes systematized into specific practices and attainments. In modern Buddhist discourse, there is debate about whether the abhijñās should be understood literally or metaphorically.

Verification Notes

• The six abhijñās are listed in Dīgha Nikāya 2 and Majjhima Nikāya 12