Siam Society presents the lecture "Buddha As Teacher Of Devas And Humans: The Question Of Omniscience" at its Lecture Room on the 4th floor, Asok Road, tomorrow at 7pm.
Buddha as understood in the major divisions of the Sutta Pitaka, also called the Five Nikayas, is a somewhat enigmatic figure. When asked directly if he is a deva (god), he denies it saying that he is a man who found the ancient path of the liberated saints (tathagatas).
Buddha in the Tevijja-Vacchagotta sutta (Discourse To Vacchagotta On The Threefold Knowledge) replies to Vacchagotta that reports of Buddha being omniscient are false, and that he only claims the three-fold knowledge -- recollection of his previous rebirths, the dibba-cakkhu (divine eye); the ability to see beings arising and passing away each in accordance with their kamma (action); and realising with his own direct knowledge his destruction of the asavas or defilements. Buddha is called teacher of devas and humans.
The lecture will address puzzlement over the precise meaning of "omniscience", as sometimes focal points of religious belief that are considered as "maximally great" are termed omniscient. Likewise attended to will be whether Buddha, God and, in a more contemporary context Google, can be called omniscient.
Speaking on the topic will be Frank Hoffman, a professor at International Buddhist Studies College, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. His previous lectures at Siam Society have included a 2019 talk on the Seven Suns sutta and its relevance to global warming, and in 2020 a critique of the caste system in the Madhurasutta.
The fee is 200 baht (free for members and students).
Email pinthip@thesiamsociety.org or call 02-661-6470--3 ext 203.
