Sarvākārajñatā
sarvākārajñatā (T. rnam pa thams cad mkhyen pa; C. yiqiezhong zhi 一切種智). Translated as “knowledge of all aspects,” "omniscience" etc.[1][2]
"Knowledge of all aspects" (sarvākārajñatā) is one of the "eight topics" of the Abhisamayālaṃkāra, as well as one of the twenty-one sets of undefiled qualities listed in the text.
One of the eight topics
As one of the "eight topics" of the Abhisamayālaṃkāra, "knowledge of all aspects" refers to the omniscience of a buddha, which simultaneously perceives all phenomena in the universe and their final nature.[1][2]
Karl Brunnhölzl states:
- The knowledge of all aspects refers to a buddha’s realization of all aspects, signs, and characteristics of all phenomena being unborn. This means being omniscient about all aspects of the true nature of phenomena and the entire variety of seeming appearances. In itself, the knowledge of all aspects encompasses all the remaining seven topics of the [Abhisamayālaṃkāra]. However, though the knowledge of all aspects is in essence nothing but the fruition of the bodhisattva path, the text presents it in retrospect, that is, through the ten sets of causes on the bodhisattva path that, when practically engaged in, eventually lead to the attainment of this knowledge and then also make up its intrinsic constituents.[3]
Tubten Tsondru Puntsok states:
- Knowledge of all aspects is defined as knowing directly and in a single instant all aspects, without exception, of things in their real nature and in all their multiplicity. It can be subdivided into the omniscience which knows the nature of things and the omniscience which knows all things in their multiplicity. An illustration of the former is the true cessation present in the continuum of the noble Buddha. The latter includes both the omniscience which knows the features of all knowable phenomena with out exception, and the omniscience which knows the seventy points, the chief amongst all causes and effects. It is only present in the continuum of a noble Buddha.[4]
The Abhisamayālaṃkāra enumerates ten points that define the knowledge of all aspects.
One of the twenty-one sets of undefiled qualities
As one of the twenty-one sets of undefiled qualities, "knowledge of all aspects" is described as follows.
The Treasury of Precious Qualities states:
- Omniscience (rnam pa thams cad mkhyen nyid). The omniscience of Buddhas is threefold. First, Buddhas have a clear and distinct knowledge of each and every phenomenon. (This is true of Buddhas alone.) Second, although the three paths of the Shravakas, Pratyekabuddhas, and Bodhisattvas are ultimately without origin, Buddhas know their respective cause, essential nature, and result on the relative level. (This knowledge is shared by the Bodhisattvas.) Third, Buddhas know that phenomena belonging to the ground (the five aggregates, eighteen elements, and twelve ayatanas) are void of personal self. (This knowledge is shared also by the Shravakas.)[5]
The Khenjuk states:
- The twenty-first category is omniscience of all aspects. This is the feature of knowledge exclusive to buddhahood itself. It has the features of, simultaneously and in actuality, knowing all aspects of knowable objects, without exception. Likewise, due to the feature of having the nature of suchness, nonduality, and self-existing wisdom, it is also said to have the aspect of buddhahood itself, the aspect of suchness, and the aspect of self-existence.[6]
The Perfection of Wisdom in Eighteen Thousand Lines (Aṣṭasāhasrikā prajñāpāramitā) states:
- “Subhūti, what is the tathāgatas’ knowledge of all aspects? It has a nonexistent thing as its objective support, mindfulness as its dominant factor, calmness as its aspect, and the absence of a mark as its mark—that is called the knowledge of all aspects.[7]
Divisions
Two aspects
The knowledge of all aspects (sarvākārajñatā) can be divided into two:[8][9]
- knowledge that knows the nature of all phenomena (ji lta ba mkhyen pa)
- knowledge that knows the multiplicity of phenomena (ji snyed pa mkhyen pa)
Five aspects
In the Vajrayana, the knowledge of all aspects (sarvākārajñatā) is divided into five aspects, known as the five wisdoms.[9]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Buswell & Lopez 2014, s.v. sarvākārajñatā.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1
rnam pa thams cad mkhyen pa nyid, Christian-Steinert Dictionary
- ↑ Brunnhölzl 2011, Introduction.
- ↑ Tubten Tsondru Puntsok 2022, Section I.2.
- ↑ Jigme Lingpa & Kangyur Rinpoche 2010, Appendix 9.
- ↑ Mipham Rinpoche 2002, verse 21.79.
- ↑
The Perfection of Wisdom in Eighteen Thousand Lines, verse 73.88, 84000 Collection
- ↑ Jigme Lingpa & Kangyur Rinpoche 2010, Glossary, s.v. "Twofold knowledge".
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Khenpo Ngawang Pelzang 2011, Part 2, Chapter 1.
Sources
Brunnhölzl, Karl (2011), Gone Beyond: The Prajnaparamita Sutras, The Ornament of Clear Realization, and Its Commentaries in the Tibetan Kagyu Tradition, Volume One, Snow Lion
Buswell, Robert E.; Lopez, Donald S. (2014), The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, Princeton University- Jigme Lingpa; Kangyur Rinpoche (2010), Treasury of Precious Qualities, Book One, translated by Padmakara Translation Group, Boston: Shambhala Publications
- Khenpo Ngawang Pelzang (2011), A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher, translated by Padmakara Translation Group, Shambhala
- Mipham Rinpoche (2002), Gateway to Knowledge, vol. III, translated by Kunsang, Erik Pema, Rangjung Yeshe Publications
Tubten Tsondru Puntsok (2022), Seventy Points of Abhisamayālaṃkāra, translated by Adam Pearcy, Lotsawa House
