Early Monastic Buddhism v1.c8.s3.23

v1.c8.s3.23

Six of the eight forms of the so-called Sassatavādas and Ekaccasassatavādas, if critically examined, will be found to be based on one of the six abhiññās (higher powers) attained by the Arhats, viz., the Pubbenivāsañāṇa (knowledge of former births). It is regarded as one of the various but not essential attainments of an Arhat. This power may be obtained by a person by practising concentration of mind but without fully developing insight into the truth, which is an essential condition of Arhathood. These meditators, who have not yet attained the Arhat stage, but have acquired the power of recalling some of their former births, think that they have known what is to be known and give an interpretation of the truth, i.e. of the ultimate beginning and end of existence, according to their own experiences.