Pancabhijna, Panca-abhijna, ʲññ, ʲññ: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Pancabhijna means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
Alternative spellings of this word include Panchabhijna.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastraʲññ (पञ्चाभिज्ञ) refers to “five superknowledges�, and represents one of the qualities possessed by the Bodhisattvas that accompanied the Buddha according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter X part 7.—The five ñ are:
- magical power (ṛd),
- the divine eye (徱ⲹṣu),
- the divine ear (徱ⲹśdzٰ),
- knowledge of others� minds (貹ٳٲñԲ);
- memory of former lifetimes (ūԾԳܲṛt).
ʲññ (पञ्चाभिज्ञ�) refers to the “five supernormal knowledges�, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly: “[...] Then the monk Siṃha and Siṃhavikrāntagāmin vigorously applied themselves to the dharma that is the wings of awakening, austerity, and practice in solitude, thereby they soon produced the five supernormal knowledges (貹ññ). Having attained supernatural knowledges (ñ), the two explained the dharma by their own magical power and the power of vows in all world-spheres, brought immeasurable and incalculable living beings to maturity, and established them in the incomparable complete awakening�.

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many ūٰ of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā ūٰ.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaʲññ (पञ्चाभिज्ञ�) refers to the “five deep knowledges� as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 20):
- 徱ⲹṣu (the divine eye),
- 徱ⲹśdzٰ (the divine ear),
- 貹ٳٲñԲ (knowledge of others� minds),
- ūԾԳܲṛt (recollection of previous lives),
- ṛd (spiritual power).
The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., pañca-ñu). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Abhijna, Panca.
Full-text: Riddhi, Divyashrotra, Five superknowledges, Purvanivasanusmriti, Paracittajnana, Divyacakshus, Riddhyabhijna.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Pancabhijna, Panca-abhijna, Pañca-abhijña, Pañca-ñ, ʲññ, ʲññ; (plurals include: Pancabhijnas, abhijnas, abhijñas, ñ, ʲññs, ʲññs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
I. Qualities of the sixth superknowledge (āsravakṣaya-jñāna) < [Part 1 - Becoming established in the six superknowledges]
Bodhisattva quality 5: the five superknowledges (pañcābhijña) < [Chapter X - The Qualities of the Bodhisattvas]