Buddhological Development 2007

Concept of Paccekabuddha ( solitary Buddha )

Examine the development of the concept of the Pacceka Buddha and show how is inability
to teach the doctrine could be interpreter.
Paccekabuddha is separately enlightened one. He has realized the four noble Truths without
having heard a Buddha's doctrine from others. However, he has no the capacity to proclaim the
teaching effectively to others. The quality of Paccekabuddha is lower than that of Sammasam
buddha.
In Agutara nikaya, mentioned that there are only two Buddhas in the world;
Sammasambuddha and Paccekabuddha. Isigili Sutta of MN says that the previous 500
Paccekabuddhas lived in Isigili Mountain. Isi found in Isigili and Isipatana refers to Pacceka
buddha. In Mahaparinibbana, it is mentioned that there are four kinds of persons who are worthy of
building Satupa; Sammasambuddha, Paccekabuddha, Arahanta and Cakkavattiraja. According to
Agutara nikaya (4th vol. 394) if anyone offers Dna to Pratyeka Buddha it is more value than he
offers to 100 arahants. In the Dakhina vibhaga sutta of MN also mentions the same thing.
In Puggalapannatti, the information about Paccekabuddha has been described in detail
comparing with Sammasambuddha. It is said that only Sammasambuddha possesses Dasabalanana
and Catuvesarajjanana but Paccekabuddha does not. Unlike this supreme Buddha, they can not
preach to the masses because Paccekabuddha do not have the Supreme Enlightenment to be able to
enlighten other in the same way as the Sammasambuddha.
Why Pacceka Buddha can not preach (admonish) the Dhamma
. Paccekabuddha appears in this world during the period when there is no enlightened
Buddha and they do not appear in the world of decline (Vivittakappa) but in the world of
development (Samvattakappa). The difference between the Sammasambuddha and Paccekabuddha
is that the former person who not only knows the Dhamma but also lets others known, the latter
person who only knows the Dhamma and can not teach what he knows to others. Paccekabuddha
can penetrate only the taste of Attha (Attharasa), not that of Dhamma (Dhammarasa).
But according to Apadana Pali, Paccekabuddha also can teach the doctrine to others. In this
text, it is mentioned that the teachings of Paccekabuddha are practiced in the world with its devas.
Those (Bala) who do not practice his teaching have to wander in the whirlpool of Samsara. Those
who practice his teachings can realize the four noble truths and attain the enlightenment. It shows
that Paccekabuddha also has the ability to teach the world.
There are two kinds of ana: Pativedanana (knowledge of realization) and Desananana
(knowledge of practicing). Desananana is essential to teach the Dhamma. Paccekabuddha has no
this kind of knowledge. As a result, he can not deliver any sermon to others. Why Paccekabuddha
can not teach the world, the reason is because he is devoid of Desana Nana.
According to the explanation of Mahyana in the Saddharmapundarika sutta, it is clear why
the Pratyeka-Buddha could not preach what he realized. The Pratyeka Buddha realized the truth,
but lack of skillfulness in means (upya kausalya). Without skillfulness the Truth cannot be
explained to others. This shows that the Pratyeka Buddhas have the ability to discover the truth
without being help from others, but he does not have the ability to express the truth using
conventional method.
According to Puggala pannathi the Pacceka Buddha does not achieve dasabala and catu
vesarajjni. Only Sammsambuddha achieve this Balas. The commentary of Khaggavisama sutta
mentions that Pacceka Buddha does not teach dhamma because he is very fond of solitary life.
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This Mahyana people interpreted but Theravdins interpreted in different manner, therevdins
really did not give reason for the inability of Pacceka Buddha to preach the dhamma, just they
mention Pacceka Buddha have Avabodhaa knowledge of realization but does not have ability to
preach dhammadesanaa.
In the Milinda panha (question of king Milinda) who is the Pacceka Buddha? Here is a person
who realizes the truth by himself and does not have any teacher, and he is ekacari lives alone.
Khaggavisanakappo means nature of ekacari live alone. It is mentioned sakavirayo parisuddha
vimala citta, tesa ta citta sakavirayo lahukam uppajjati lahuka pavattati sabbau
buddhabhumisu garuka uppajjati dandha pavattati this means he can send his mind to his own
subjects of Pacceka Buddha, but he cannot send his mind forward as Sabbau Buddha and he
cannot think like Buddhas way of Omniscience.