➥ dassana:

• for dassana:
  • vision
  • vision [of things according to reality]
• dassanaṁ: vision
• dassanassa: vision [of things according to reality]

Dassana with an object

Dassana often has a specified object:

• dassanañca rūpānaṁ: vision of shapes (MN iii 160).
• bahiddhā parakāye ñāṇadassanaṁ: knowledge and vision externally of others’ bodies [according to reality] (DN ii 216).
• maggāmaggañāṇadassana: knowledge and vision of what is the Path and what is not the Path (MN i 149-150).

Dassana without an object: ‘things according to reality’

Where dassana does not have an object, the suttas show that ‘things according to reality’ should be taken as the object, which we now explain. Firstly, compare these quotes, which shows that Sammādassanaṁ equals yathābhūtañāṇadassana. Yathābhūta means ‘things according to reality’ (see Glossary sv Yathābhūta):

1) Without knowledge and vision of things according to reality, for one lacking in knowledge and vision of things according to reality, the condition for disillusionment with and non-attachment [to originated phenomena] is cut off;

Yathābhūtañāṇadassane asati yathābhūtañāṇadassanavipannassa hatūpaniso hoti nibbidāvirāgo. (AN iii 19)

2) Right vision [of things according to reality], Rādha, is for the sake of disillusionment [with originated phenomena].

Sammādassanaṁ kho rādha nibbidatthaṁ. (SN iii 189)

Dassana without an object: ‘transcendent insight’

In this passage, dassana (‘vision [of things according to reality]’) is a synonym of abhiññāya (transcendent insight), which proves its supermundane connotations:

As the Blessed One explained the teaching to me with its increasingly higher and more sublime levels, concerning what is inwardly dark and bright with their correlative combinations, thus through transcendent insight (abhiññāya) into a certain one of those teachings, I came to a conclusion about the teachings. I gained faith in the Teacher thus:

“The Blessed One is perfectly enlightened. The teaching is well explained by the Blessed One. The community of disciples is applied to the excellent practice.’

When one’s faith in the [perfection of the] Perfect One’s [enlightenment] is settled, rooted, and established, and described in these terms, words, and phrases, then one’s faith is said to be supported by reasons, rooted in vision [of things according to reality] (dassana), and firm. It is not shakeable by any ascetic, Brahmanist, deva, māra, or brahmā, or by anyone in the world.

Dhammadassana

In the term dhammadassanaṁ, we take dhamma as ‘things,’ and parenthesise (‘according to reality’) accordingly:

• Therefore the wise person, remembering the Buddhas’ training system, should apply himself to faith [in the perfection of the Perfect One’s enlightenment], to virtue, to serenity, and to vision of things [according to reality].

Tasmā saddhañca sīlañca pasādaṁ dhammadassanaṁ
Anuyuñjetha medhāvī saraṁ buddhānaṁ sāsanan ti. (Snp 204)

This is supported by a closely related phrase:

• One who has knowledge and vision of all phenomena [according to reality]

sabbesu dhammesu ca ñāṇadassī. (Snp 478)

Illustration: dassana, vision

Good, good, Anuruddha. But while you abide thus diligently, vigorously, and resolutely applied [to the practice], have you attained any superhuman attainment of knowledge and vision that is truly noble, any comfortable abiding?

Sādhu sādhu anuruddhā. Atthi pana vo anuruddhā evaṁ appamattānaṁ ātāpīnaṁ pahitattānaṁ viharataṁ uttarimanussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro ti. (MN i 207)

Illustration: dassana, vision [of things according to reality]

The wise and noble man with perfect vision [of things according to reality] partakes of the world of the fortunate.

Ariyo dassanasampanno sa lokaṁ bhajate sivan ti. (Snp 115)

I am [now] a disciple of the Perfectly Enlightened One, with perfect vision [of things according to reality].

dassanasampannaṁ sammāsambuddhasāvakan ti. (Tha 45)

➥ dassanaṁ: (main article see: dassana)

Illustration: dassanaṁ, vision

It is quite natural that one who is disillusioned [with originated phenomena] and unattached [to originated phenomena] will realise the knowledge and vision that follows liberation [from perceptually obscuring states].

Dhammatā esā bhikkhave yaṁ nibbiṇṇo viratto vimuttiñāṇadassanaṁ sacchikaroti. (AN v 3)

➥ dassanassa: (main article see: dassana)

Illustration: dassanassa, vision [of things according to reality]

This [eightfold path] is the only way to purify one’s vision [of things according to reality]. There is no other.

Eso va maggo natthañño dassanassa visuddhiyā. (Dhp 274)