The History of Buddhist Thought c19.68

c19.68

Already the Jains claimed omniscience for their leader. They are said to have held that he was " omniscient, all-seeing, and possessed complete knowledge and insight ; that whether walking or standing, asleep or awake, knowledge and insight were continually present ". This claim is ridiculed by the Buddhists, and the omniscient teacher is described as so ignorant that he goes for alms to a house not knowing that it is empty, or as having to ask his way to a village. Buddha is represented as denying that he claims such omniscience.¹ What he claims is the three knowledges, (1) that he remembers numberless past existences, as far back as he wishes, (2) that with his divine eye he can see beings passing away and being reborn according to their karma, (3) that with the destruction of the āsavas he has of himself attained and realized release of mind and knowledge in this life and abides in it.