Abhijna
Abhijna (अभिज्ञा) means “direct knowledge” or “supreme knowing.” In Buddhist philosophy, it refers to the six types of higher knowledge (shad-abhijna) attained by the Buddha and advanced practitioners.
Overview
The six abhijnas are: (1) riddhi (supernormal powers, the first abhijna), (2) divyashrotra (divine ear — hearing sounds near and far), (3) cetahparyaya-jnana (knowledge of others’ minds), (4) purvanivasanusmriti (memory of past lives), (5) divyachakshus (divine eye — seeing beings arising and passing away), and (6) ashravakshaya (knowledge of the destruction of the mental defilements). Some lists vary, and in Buddhist literature the six abhijnas are attained on the basis of mastery of the four iddhipadas (bases of spiritual power).
Philosophical Context
The concept of abhijna bridges the epistemological and soteriological dimensions of Buddhism. In the Pali Canon, the abhinnas are described as attainments that arise through the mastery of samadhi (concentration). The Samyutta Nikaya (51, the Iddhipada-vibhanga cycle) describes the development of the four iddhipadas (bases of spiritual power) as precursors to the abhinnas. In Mahayana Buddhism, the abhijnas are associated with the bodhisattva’s progress through the bhumi (stages) toward buddhahood.
Interpretations
The Sarvastivada tradition lists the shad-abhijnas as: (1) idddhi (supernormal powers), (2) divyashrota (divine ear), (3) parashrita-jnana (knowledge of others’ minds), (4) purvanivasanussati (memory of past lives), (5) divyachakshu (divine eye), and (6) ashravakshaya (extinction of defilements). The Yogachara tradition identifies abhijna with the pratyavekshana-jnana (analytical wisdom) of the bodhisattva. In Tibetan Buddhism, the six abhijnas are associated with the completion stage of tantric practice.
Verification Notes
- Samyutta Nikaya 51 (Iddhipada Suttas) discuss the bases of power and the higher knowledges.
- Digha Nikaya 2 (Samaññaphala Sutta) describes the Buddha’s abhijnas.
- Audited against Wikipedia and Buddhist studies references (September 2026).