'highest knowledge', gnosis, refers to the perfect knowledge of the Saint (Arahat; s. ariya-puggala). The following passage occurs frequently in the Suttas, when a monk indicates his attainment of Holiness (arahatta): "He makes known highest knowledge (an~n~am vya^karoti), thus: 'Rebirth has ceased, fulfilled is the holy life, the task is accomplished, and there is no more of this to come.' "
The 'faculty of highest knowledge' (an~n~' indriya = an~n~a^-indriya; s. indriya), however, is present in six of the eight stages of holiness, that is, beginning with the fruition of Stream-Winning (sota^patti-phala) up to the path of Holiness (arahatta-magga). See Dhs. (PTS) 362-364, 505, 553; Indriya Vibhanga; "Path" 162.
出自：南传佛教英文辞典
