<p>In Mahayana omniscience refers to prajna-paramita, the perfection of wisdom also known as the knowledge of all modes.</p>

<p>This comes from direct realization of Emptiness, and results in Buddha having no position, not leaning on any dharma or sign. Not assuming anything as the absolute point of reference. (There are many ways to talk about this.)</p>

<p>Having no position, Buddha knows all positions and all modes of cognition. Hence, the knowledge of all modes aka omniscience in short. </p>

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2020-04-23T17:28:06.453Z
So he does have full knowledge of past present and future right?
Malik A
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2020-04-23T21:31:03.517Z
@MalikA How can you have past present or future, without an absolute point of reference?
user29568
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2020-04-22T22:03:55.780Z
2020-04-22T22:03:55.780Z
Andriy Volkov
<p>I read about the 18 characteristics of a Buddha, and the last three say he has knowledge of the past, present and future. Do mahayanists believe this means he has complete knowledge of everything in the past, present and future, or does it rather mean he has some specific knowledge of the past, present and future? As in, he knows some things that happened or that he did yesterday or some time in the past, some things that happen or which he does right now, and some things that will happen in the future.</p>

<mahayana><buddha>
Does mahayana believe in omniscience of the Buddha?
# Does mahayana believe in omniscience of the Buddha?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-04-22)

I read about the 18 characteristics of a Buddha, and the last three say he has knowledge of the past, present and future. Do mahayanists believe this means he has complete knowledge of everything in the past, present and future, or does it rather mean he has some specific knowledge of the past, present and future? As in, he knows some things that happened or that he did yesterday or some time in the past, some things that happen or which he does right now, and some things that will happen in the future.

**Tags:** mahayana, buddha


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-04-22. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

In Mahayana omniscience refers to prajna-paramita, the perfection of wisdom also known as the knowledge of all modes.

This comes from direct realization of Emptiness, and results in Buddha having no position, not leaning on any dharma or sign. Not assuming anything as the absolute point of reference. (There are many ways to talk about this.)

Having no position, Buddha knows all positions and all modes of cognition. Hence, the knowledge of all modes aka omniscience in short.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: So he does have full knowledge of past present and future right?  
> **username_2**: @MalikA How can you have past present or future, without an absolute point of reference?  

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