Significance of Omnicience
Omnicience, defined as a state of complete and unlimited knowledge, is a significant concept across various philosophical traditions, including Jainism, Tibetan Buddhism, Vaishnavism, Purana, Vedanta, Mahayana, and Theravada. In these traditions, it refers to the ability to know everything, encompassing past, present, and future. Enlightened beings, like the Buddha and bodhisattvas, are attributed with this quality, representing the ultimate goal of spiritual attainment. Omnicience is characterized by an all-knowing awareness that facilitates profound understanding and insight.
Synonyms: Omniscience, All-knowing, Infinite knowledge, All-seeing, Complete awareness, Universal knowledge, Limitless understanding
In French: Omniscience; In Malay: Omnicience; In Dutch: Almachtigheid; In Finnish: °²¹¾±°ì°ì¾±³Ù¾±±ð³Ùä±¹²â²â²õ; In Spanish: Omniciencia; In German: Allwissenheit; In Swedish: ´¡±ô±ô³¾Ã¤²Ô³ó±ð³Ù
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Omnicience'
In Buddhism, Omniscience embodies complete knowledge sought by bodhisattvas and exemplified by the Buddha, representing ultimate awareness of all existence. It signifies an aspiration for profound understanding to benefit all beings.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) A state of complete knowledge and understanding that the bodhisattva aims to attain through practicing the Path.[1] (2) The state of being all-knowing (sarvajna) that the Buddha possesses, enabling him to understand and respond to all phrasings fluidly.[2] (3) The state of having infinite knowledge, which bodhisattvas strive to maintain in their minds.[3] (4) The ability to know everything; a title given to the Buddha in this text, although it is questioned by others.[4] (5) Omniscience (sarvajna) is the state of possessing complete knowledge of all things, sought after by the bodhisattva.[5]
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) The all-knowing state attained by the Buddha, where nothing remains unknown to him.[6]
From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]
(1) The state of all-knowingness that a bodhisattva aspires to achieve for the benefit of all beings.[7]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) The quality of possessing complete and unlimited knowledge, understanding, or insight.[8] (2) The state of having direct knowledge of truth regarding all things.[9] (3) An attribute of the Lord characterized by complete knowledge and understanding.[10]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) The all-encompassing understanding and insight that the Buddha attained at the foot of the Bodhi-tree.[11]
Hindu concept of 'Omnicience'
Omniscience in Hinduism signifies a state of unlimited knowledge attained through enlightenment, characterized by complete awareness of past, present, and future, typically associated with enlightened beings who transcend ignorance.
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) The quality of knowing everything, encompassing past, present, and future knowledge.[12]
From: Prashna Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
(1) The state of possessing unlimited knowledge and awareness, achieved through enlightenment and the overcoming of ignorance.[13]
Jain concept of 'Omnicience'
In Jainism, Omniscience represents a state of complete and unlimited knowledge, achieved through karma transformation, attributed to enlightened beings like the Lord, and serves as a key goal of spiritual attainment.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) The all-knowing state achieved by Malli simultaneously with her other knowledge.[14] (2) The state of having complete and unlimited knowledge.[15] (3) The state of knowing everything, achieved by the Lord, from which the retinue formed.[16] (4) A state of complete and unlimited knowledge acquired by Ghanaratha, allowing him to teach and enlighten others toward emancipation.[17] (5) Complete and unlimited knowledge, shared by an equal number of followers as those with clairvoyance or transformation abilities.[18]
From: Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti)
(1) The state of being all-knowing, which is the result achieved by the processes described, particularly through the transformation of karma.[19]