Can a arahant recognize the spiritual attainment of others?
score:8
No. It is a quality in Buddha among humans only. However, Tissa Brahma God has this quality too. Ven Moggallana was curious about this and went to Tissa god and asked him if all beings in Brahma world had this quality. Tissa Brahman said not all beings in the brahman world had it, but only few. Tissa Sutta
Buddha said there is no measuring tool to measure others' attainment level (such as one Arahat in Buddha's time that used profanities- one may still use profanity after liberation because force of habit not mind with defilement, etc )
Another sutta I remember which do not remember the reference talked about one Arahat who had never met Ven Sariputta before. They met for the first time and has conversation in form of question answers (Ven Sarriputta asked another answered). After a few minutes, they both realized that each other reached some mile stone in their progress but they didnt know which level. They knew each other by talking. From that Sutta, Arahat may have a clue about the other but not 100% sure.
Dharma spoken by Buddha should lead us and Sangha world wide.
Upvote:0
In Udana 7.2, Ven. Sariputta (the Arahant) tried to teach Ven. Bhaddiya without realizing that he too was an Arahant.
The Buddha saw this and exclaimed the verse, describing Ven. Bhaddiya:
He has cut the cycle, has gone away to freedom from longing. The dried-up stream no longer flows. The cycle, cut, no longer turns. This, just this, is the end of stress.
This shows that the Buddha could recognize who is an Arahant, but not another Arahant.
Upvote:1
Depending on our freedom from delusions, we can recognize conditions of equal or lesser purity.
It's like looking through glass: if other's glass is dirtier, you can see that, but if it's cleaner, your own dirt doesn't allow to recognize that.
Also, it's not possible to get consensus among practitioners, because many of them have delusions and misrepresent their qualities and qualities of others. Some teachers disagree with each other, some claim awakening out of ignorance, some have large following despite poor qualities etc.
In some Buddhist traditions people try to establish systems of quality control based on opinions of authorities, but it doesn't really work.
Buddha didn't set such system. He said:
Therefore, Ananda, be islands unto yourselves, refuges unto yourselves, seeking no external refuge; with the Dhamma as your island, the Dhamma as your refuge, seeking no other refuge.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.16.1-6.vaji.html
More post
- π How similar or different is Tantric Buddhism from Vijnana Bhairava of Kashmir Shaivism?
- π Does the Foam Sutta (SN 22.95) say there are "no things" or, otherwise, discuss emptiness similar to Nagarjuna?
- π Historically, where do the concepts of Karma, Nirvana, Dharma and Samsara come from?
- π 2 words/phrase like mantra chanting (Bud- dho) to strengthen contemplation
- π If I start doing Vipassana now, how long will it take me to achieve Nirvana?
- π Mindfulness of Breathing, Mindfulness with Breathing
- π Are hungry ghosts considered "alive" if they are one of the six options of rebirth?
- π How to practice Metta without a Benefactor?
- π How to maintain a Buddhist practice through dark times?
- π What exactly did Lord Buddha say about Size of Atom?
- π Can there exist two Dalai Lamas at one instance of time?
- π Is the path of Zen compatible with computer science?
- π Are ecological concerns supported explicitly in Buddhism?
- π What is it like to experience enlightenment?
- π Verses and lines of dedication of merits: Does one like to share traditional and personal verbal ways?
- π Life after death
- π Where is the Tibetan Book of the Dead online in Tibetan script?
- π What is meant by 'dukkhe loko patiαΉαΉhito'?
- π Why is life so important?
- π What is The Prediction as defined by the Mahayana tradition?
- π Is there a commentary for the Dhammapada?
- π Sleep and meditation
- π Do buddhists fall in love?
- π What is right view regarding rebirth?
- π Should meditation be practiced without a goal?
- π Does Buddhism claim perfection?
- π How not to kill the mouse in my house?
- π Is a straight spine/spinal posture during seated meditation critical?
- π Philosophical and Doctrinal Differences between Theravada and Zen, and its effects
- π Thoughtlessness
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- π Can a arahant recognize the spiritual attainment of others?
- π Can a lay person become an Arahant according to the Suttas?
- π How Can One Tell The Difference Between The Spiritual Mind And The Physical Mind?
- π How do you recognize the attainment of enlightenment?
- π Can the Buddha ever be a woman?
- π Where is the Buddha quoted as saying do not believe anything I say until you can prove it by yourself?
- π How can I assess the quality of a local Buddhist group?
- π Can one practice meditation to gain knowledge about the universe?
- π Can the noble eightfold path be followed in its entirety by a lay follower?
- π Enlightened Lies - Can lying be the correct action in certain situations?
- π Can environmental degradation be used as a justification for the culling of an invasive alien species?
- π What are the texts that contain words which can be attributed directly to the Buddha?
- π Can Buddhism be viewed as a threat to the capitalist way of life?
- π Can a person live by the Dhamma and have another religion as well?
- π Which is the Buddhist holy book? Where can it be read?
- π How can I build up to being able to get into the full lotus position?
- π Can We Teach Animals the Dhamma?
- π How can you see suffering in the breath?
- π The spiritual significance of the sand mandala in Tibetan Buddhism
- π Where's the story in which the Buddha praised a non-returner for keeping the knowledge of his attainment private?
- π Can the Buddhism.SE site function as "the Sangha" for me?
- π How can a lay person approach the learning process of Buddhism?
- π Where can I find the Chinese Canon Agama in English translation?
- π Can one alter the 6th precept to accommodate one's family or daily routines?
- π Can lay people be involved in the weapons business?
- π How can one define luxurious beds and seats in the eighth precept?
- π What are the resources a Buddhist can use during very hard times?
- π Is there anything one can do to save the deceased from the consequences of their Kamma?
- π Can one follow Hinduism and Buddhism at the same time?
- π Can Buddhists see into the future?