In the hierarchy of enlightened beings, the Pacceka Buddha
ranks below the Sammasambuddha (The Blessed One) but above the Chief Disciples (Savaka).
Khuddakapatha commentary illustrate that; “for even several hundred disciples
like Sariputta and Moggallana cannot be compared to a hundredth part of a
Pacceka Buddha’s qualities. But when compared to the Samma Sambuddha, even all
the Pacceka Buddhas of Jambudipa combined cannot exhibit a fraction of a Fully
Enlightened One’s qualities.”
The fully Enlightened one fulfill the wisdom perfection
(Panna Parami) in threefold way where as individual Buddha (Pacceka Buddha)
fulfill wisdom perfection in two fold way, as a result Pacceka Buddhas attain
enlightenment by themselves but do not enlighten others. They comprehend only
the essence of meaning (attha), not the essence of idea (dhamma) and are unable
to put the supramundane dhamma into concepts and teach it. However, Pacceka
Buddhas possess supernormal powers (iddhi) and can influence others indirectly
to enter a religious life.
Regarding the time of their appearance, Suttanipata
Commentary states that Pacceka Buddhas arise only in the period neither Samma
Sambuddha nor Dhamma taught by Samma Sambuddha present. Only in times when there are no Samma
Sambuddhas that it is possible to attain Pacceka Buddhahood. Many Pacceka
Buddhas can appear at one time. The Isigili Sutta of Majjhima Niklaya, mentioned that five hundred Pacceka
Buddhas lived in the caves at Isigili, one of the five mountains near Rajagaha
(Rajgir at present).
The period to accomplish the Perfections (Paramis) to become
pacceka Buddha is two asankheyyas and a one lakh of kappas. The person who
aspires to become a Pacceka Buddha is called a Pacceka Bodhisatta and must
possess five qualifications at the time of first aspiration to get first
affirmation, namely:
i) Manussaththa - Must be a human being,
ii) Linga sampaththi - Must be a male person,
iii) Vigathawa dassanam - Must meet with an enlightened
person, i.e. Buddha, a Pacceka Buddha or an Arahant,
Iv) Adhikaro - The aspirant must be prepared to lay down his
life for the sake of the attaining individual Buddha hood,
v) Chandatha - Must possess wholesome desire (chanda) strong
enough to aspire for the goal even though he fully knows that he has to suffer
much through repeated births, even in woeful states.
May all beings be well and happy & attain the fruit of
Nibbana.
Suranda Weediyage
BA, Tripitakachariya, Dip in Pali/ Buddhism (Pali &
Buddhist University of Sri Lanka), HNDBF,
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