feminine · vijjā 1 · vijjā 2
knowledge
higher knowledge; science
Vijjā (feminine) [cf. Vedic vidyā knowledge: etymology see under vindati] one of the dogmatic terms of Buddhist teaching, varying in meaning in different sections of the canon. It is not always the positive to avijjā (which has quite a well-defined meaning from its first appearance in Buddhist psychological ethics), but has been taken into the terminology of Buddhism from brahmanic and popular philosophy. The opposite of avijjā is usually ñāṇa (but cf. S III 162 f., 171; V 429). Although certain vijjās pertain to the recognition of the "truth" and the destruction of avijjā, yet they are only secondary factors in achieving "vimutti" (cf. abhiññā, ñāṇa-dassana and paññā). That vijjā at M I 22 is contrasted with avijjā is to be explained as a word-play in a stereotype phrase. — A different side of "knowledge" again is given by "bodhi." (a) Vijjā is a general, popular term for lore in the old sense, science, study, especially study as a practice of some art (something like the secret science of the medicine man: cf. vejja!); hence applied in special, "dogmatic" sense as "secret science," revelation (put into a sort of magic formula), higher knowledge (of the learned man), knowledge which may be applied and used as an art (cf. magister artium!), practical knowledge; but also mystereous knowledge: "charm." (b) vijjā, having a varying content in its connotation, is applied to a series of different achievements. A rather old tabulation of the stages leading by degrees to the attainment of the highest knowledge is given in the Sāmañña-phala-sutta (D I 63-86), repeated in nearly every Suttanta of D 1. It is composed of the 3 sampadās, viz. sīla°, citta° and paññā-. Under the first group belong sīla(-kkhandha), indriya-saṃvara, sati-sampajañña, santuṭṭhi; the second is composed (1) of the overcoming of the nīvaraṇas, (2) of the 4 jhānas; (3) the third consists of 8 items, viz. (1) ñāṇa-dassana, (2) manomaya-kāya, (3) iddhi, (4) dibba-sota, (5) ceto-pariyañāṇa, (6) pubbe-nivāsānussatiñāṇa, (7) cutūpapatti-ñāṇa, (8) āsavānaṃ khaya-ñāṇa. Other terms used are: for the 2nd sampadā: caraṇa (D. I 100), and for the 3rd: vijjā (ibid). The discussion at D I 100 is represented as contradicting the (brahmaṇic) opinion of Ambaṭṭha, who thought that "vijjā nāma tayo Vedā, caraṇaṃ pañca sīlāni" (Sv I 267 f. ). — In the enumeration of 3 vijjās at M I 22 f. only Nos. 6-8 of the 3rd sampadā (said to have been attained by the Buddha in the 3 night watches) with the verbs anussarati (No. 6), pajānāti (7), abhijānāti (8), each signifying a higher stage of ("saving") knowledge, yet all called "vijjā." Quoted at Vism 202, where all 8 stages are given as "aṭṭha vijjā," and caraṇa with 15 qualities (sīla-saṃvara, indriyesu guttadvāra etc.). The same 3 vijjās (No. 6, 7, 8) are given at D III 220, 275, and poetically at A II 165 as the characteristics of a proper (ariya, Buddhist) monk (or brāhmaṇa): "etāhi tīhi vijjāhi tevijjo hoti brāhmaṇo," opposing the three-Veda-knowledge of the brahmins. — Tevijja (adjective) in same meaning at S I 146 (where it refers to Nos. 3, 5, 8 of above enumeration), 192, 194. In brahmanic sense at Snp 594 (= tiveda Pj II 463). Both meanings compared and contrasted at A I 163 (aññathā brāhmaṇā brāhmaṇaṃ tevijjaṃ paññāpenti, aññathā ca pana ariyassa vinaye tevijjo hoti "different in the brahmanic and different in the Buddhist sense"). — Tisso vijjā (without specification, but referring to above 6, 7, 8) further at Vin II 183; Snp 656; Paṭis I 34; II 56; Pv IV 1 34 ; Miln 359 (+ chaḷabhiññā); Dhp-a IV 30 (the same). It is doubtful whether the definition of ñāṇa as "tisso vijjā" at Vin III 91 is genuine. On vijjā-caraṇa see also D III 97, 98, 237; S I 153, 166; II 284; V 197; A II 163; IV 238; V 327; Snp 163, 289, 442. — On vijjā in the doctrinal application see: D III 156, 214, 274; S II 7 f. (cakkhu, ñāṇa, paññā, vijjā, {553} āloka); III 47; 163; 171; IV 31, 49 f. A I 83; II 247; Snp 334 (simply meaning "wisdom," craft, care, but Buddhaghosa Pj II 339 takes it as "āsavānaṃ-khaya-ñāṇa"), 1026 (opposed to avijjā); Pp 14, 57; Vibh 324; Nett 76, 191. (c) popular meanings and usage of vijjā: science, craft, art, charm, {618} spell D I 213 (Gandhārī nāma v., also mentioned at Ja IV 498 as practised by physicians), 214 (Maṇika n. v.); Ja III 504 (Cintāmaṇi v.); IV 323 (vatthu°: see under vatthu), 498 (ghora°); V 458 (aṅga° palmistry); Miln 200; Dhp I 259 (bhūmicala n. v. "earthquake" charm), 265 (dhanu-agamanīyaṃ Ambaṭṭha n. v.); Pj I 237 (vatthu°, khetta°, aṅga°); and see the list of forbidden crafts at D I 9 (aṅga°, vatthu°, khetta° etc.; cf. D.B. I 18, 19). -gata having attained wisdom Snp 730 (opposite avijjā; the playful explanation at Pj II 505 is "ye Arahatta-magga-vijjāya kilese vijjhitvā gatā khīṇāsava-sattā"); -caraṇa (-sampanna) (endowed with) special craft (wisdom) and virtue: see above, b; -ṭṭhāna branch of study; there are 18 vijja-ṭṭhānāni or "arts and sciences," subjects of study, referred to at Ja I 259; -dhara a knower of charms, a sorcerer Ja III 303, 529; IV 496; V 94; Miln 153, 200, 267; -bhāgiyā (dhammā) (states) conducive to wisdom (6 kinds of saññā) A III 334; cf. D III 243; S V 395; A IV 52 f. -mayā (iddhi) (potency) accomplished by art or knowledge ( Expositor I 122) Vism 383; see iddhi; -vimutti wisdom (higher knowledge) as salvation S V 28, 335 f.; Paṭis II 243 (in detail).
【陰】 明（較高的知識），科學。~caraṇa,【中】 明行（特別的智慧 和德行）。~ṭṭhāna,【中】 研究的主題，藝術和科學。~dhara,【形】 懂 得咒文的人，巫士。~vimutti,【陰】 明解脫（慧解脫）。
(fem, fem, abstr) knowledge; wisdom; understanding higher knowledge, science Construction: √vid + yā
(fem, fem, abstr) science; art; branch of knowledge science [lit.] understanding Construction: √vid + yā
(fem, fem, abstr) spell; magic; sorcery [lit.] understanding Construction: √vid + yā