(辟支迦) (辟支佛陀) (辟支迦佛陀)pratyekabuddha, one who seeks enlightenment for himself, defined in theLotus Sūtraas a believer who is diligent and zealous in seeking wisdom, loves loneliness and seclusion, and understands deeply thenidānas. Also called 緣覺; 獨覺; 俱存. It is a stage above theśrāvaka聲聞 and is known as the 中乘 middle vehicle. Tiantai distinguishes 獨覺 as an ascetic in a period without a Buddha, 緣覺 as apratyekabuddha. He attains his enlightenment alone, independently of a teacher, and with the object of attainingnirvāṇaand his own salvation rather than that of others, as is the object of abodhisattva. Cf. 畢.