Paṭisambhidāmagga 3 Paññāvagga 3.6.

Discourse on Miracles

Pāṭihāriyakathā “Tīṇimāni, bhikkhave, pāṭihāriyāni.

Disciples, there are these three miracles.

Katamāni tīṇi?

What three?

Iddhipāṭihāriyaṁ, ādesanāpāṭihāriyaṁ, anusāsanīpāṭihāriyaṁ.

The miracle of psychic power, the miracle of telepathy, and the miracle of instruction.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, iddhipāṭihāriyaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti— ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ tirobhāvaṁ …pe…

What is the miracle of psychic power? Here someone experiences various kinds of psychic power: being one, he becomes many; being many, he becomes one; he appears and vanishes... and he exercises mastery with the body as far as the Brahma world.

yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.

This is called the miracle of psychic power.

Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, iddhipāṭihāriyaṁ.

And what is the miracle of telepathy?

Katamañca, bhikkhave, ādesanāpāṭihāriyaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco nimittena ādisati— ‘evampi te mano, itthampi te mano, itipi te cittan’ti.

Here someone declares by means of a sign: This is in your mind, that is in your mind, this is in your thoughts.

So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā.

Even if he declares much, it is just as he says, not otherwise.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco na heva kho nimittena ādisati, api ca kho manussānaṁ vā amanussānaṁ vā devatānaṁ vā saddaṁ sutvā ādisati— ‘evampi te mano, itthampi te mano, itipi te cittan’ti.

Here someone does not declare by means of a sign, but by hearing the sound of humans, non-humans, or deities: This is in your mind, that is in your mind, this is in your thoughts.

So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā.

Even if he declares much, it is just as he says, not otherwise.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco na heva kho nimittena ādisati, napi manussānaṁ vā amanussānaṁ vā devatānaṁ vā saddaṁ sutvā ādisati, api ca kho vitakkayato vicārayato vitakkavipphārasaddaṁ sutvā ādisati— ‘evampi te mano, itthampi te mano, itipi te cittan’ti.

Here someone does not declare by means of a sign, nor by hearing the sound of humans, non-humans, or deities, but by hearing the sound of thought-vibrations of one who is thinking and pondering: This is in your mind, that is in your mind, this is in your thoughts.

So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā.

Even if he declares much, it is just as he says, not otherwise.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco na heva kho nimittena ādisati, napi manussānaṁ vā amanussānaṁ vā devatānaṁ vā saddaṁ sutvā ādisati, napi vitakkayato vicārayato vitakkavipphārasaddaṁ sutvā ādisati, api ca kho avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhiṁ samāpannassa cetasā ceto paricca pajānāti— ‘yathā imassa bhoto manosaṅkhārā paṇihitā imassa cittassa anantarā amukaṁ nāma vitakkaṁ vitakkayissatī’ti.

Here someone does not declare by means of a sign, nor by hearing the sound of humans, non-humans, or deities, nor by hearing the sound of thought-vibrations of one who is thinking and pondering, but by knowing with the mind the mind of one who has entered into concentration without directed and sustained attention: As this person's mental formations are directed, immediately after this thought, he will think such and such a thought.

So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā.

Even if he declares much, it is just as he says, not otherwise.

Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ādesanāpāṭihāriyaṁ.

This is called the miracle of telepathy.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, anusāsanīpāṭihāriyaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco evamanusāsati— ‘evaṁ vitakketha, mā evaṁ vitakkayittha.

And what is the miracle of instruction? Here someone instructs thus: Think in this way, do not think in that way.

Evaṁ manasi karotha, mā evaṁ manasākattha.

Direct your mind in this way, do not direct your mind in that way.

Idaṁ pajahatha, idaṁ upasampajja viharathā’ti.

Abandon this, attain and dwell in that.

Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, anusāsanīpāṭihāriyaṁ.

This is called the miracle of instruction.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, tīṇi pāṭihāriyāni”.

These are the three miracles.

Nekkhammaṁ ijjhatīti—iddhi.

Renunciation succeeds: this is power.

Kāmacchandaṁ paṭiharatīti—pāṭihāriyaṁ.

It wards off sense satisfaction: this is a miracle.

Ye tena nekkhammena samannāgatā, sabbe te visuddhacittā anāvilasaṅkappāti— ādesanāpāṭihāriyaṁ.

Those who are endowed with that renunciation, all of them have pure minds and untroubled thoughts: this is the miracle of instruction.

“Taṁ kho pana nekkhammaṁ evaṁ āsevitabbaṁ, evaṁ bhāvetabbaṁ, evaṁ bahulīkātabbaṁ, evaṁ tadanudhammatā sati upaṭṭhāpetabbā”ti— anusāsanīpāṭihāriyaṁ.

That renunciation should be practiced, developed, made much of, and established with mindfulness in accordance with the teaching: this is the miracle of guidance.

Abyāpādo ijjhatīti—iddhi.

Non-ill-will succeeds: this is power.

Byāpādaṁ paṭiharatīti—pāṭihāriyaṁ.

It wards off ill-will: this is a miracle.

Ye tena abyāpādena samannāgatā, sabbe te visuddhacittā anāvilasaṅkappāti— ādesanāpāṭihāriyaṁ.

Those who are endowed with that non-ill-will, all of them have pure minds and untroubled thoughts: this is the miracle of instruction.

“So kho pana abyāpādo evaṁ āsevitabbo, evaṁ bhāvetabbo, evaṁ bahulīkātabbo, evaṁ tadanudhammatā sati upaṭṭhāpetabbā”ti— anusāsanīpāṭihāriyaṁ.

That non-ill-will should be practiced, developed, made much of, and established with mindfulness in accordance with the teaching: this is the miracle of guidance.

Ālokasaññā ijjhatīti—iddhi.

Perception of light succeeds: this is power.

Thinamiddhaṁ paṭiharatīti—pāṭihāriyaṁ.

It wards off sloth and torpor: this is a miracle.

Ye tāya ālokasaññāya samannāgatā, sabbe te visuddhacittā anāvilasaṅkappāti— ādesanāpāṭihāriyaṁ.

Those who are endowed with that perception of light, all of them have pure minds and untroubled thoughts: this is the miracle of instruction.

“Sā kho pana ālokasaññā evaṁ āsevitabbā, evaṁ bhāvetabbā, evaṁ bahulīkātabbā, evaṁ tadanudhammatā sati upaṭṭhāpetabbā”ti— anusāsanīpāṭihāriyaṁ.

That perception of light should be practiced, developed, made much of, and established with mindfulness in accordance with the teaching: this is the miracle of guidance.

Avikkhepo ijjhatīti—iddhi.

Non-distraction succeeds: this is power.

Uddhaccaṁ paṭiharatīti—pāṭihāriyaṁ.

It wards off restlessness: this is a miracle.

Ye tena avikkhepena samannāgatā, sabbe te visuddhacittā anāvilasaṅkappāti— ādesanāpāṭihāriyaṁ.

Those who are endowed with that non-distraction, all of them have pure minds and untroubled thoughts: this is the miracle of instruction.

“So kho pana avikkhepo evaṁ āsevitabbo, evaṁ bhāvetabbo, evaṁ bahulīkātabbo, evaṁ tadanudhammatā sati upaṭṭhāpetabbā”ti— anusāsanīpāṭihāriyaṁ.

That non-distraction should be practiced, developed, made much of, and established with mindfulness in accordance with the teaching: this is the miracle of guidance.

Dhammavavatthānaṁ ijjhatīti—iddhi.

Discrimination of phenomena succeeds: this is power.

Vicikicchaṁ paṭiharatīti—pāṭihāriyaṁ.

It wards off doubt: this is a miracle.

Ye tena dhammavavatthānena samannāgatā, sabbe te visuddhacittā anāvilasaṅkappāti— ādesanāpāṭihāriyaṁ.

Those who are endowed with that discrimination of phenomena, all of them have pure minds and untroubled thoughts: this is the miracle of instruction.

“Taṁ kho pana dhammavavatthānaṁ evaṁ āsevitabbaṁ, evaṁ bhāvetabbaṁ, evaṁ bahulīkātabbaṁ, evaṁ tadanudhammatā, sati upaṭṭhāpetabbā”ti— anusāsanīpāṭihāriyaṁ.

That discrimination of phenomena should be practiced, developed, made much of, and established with mindfulness in accordance with the teaching: this is the miracle of guidance.

Ñāṇaṁ ijjhatīti—iddhi.

Knowing succeeds: this is power.

Avijjaṁ paṭiharatīti—pāṭihāriyaṁ.

It wards off ignorance: this is a miracle.

Ye tena ñāṇena samannāgatā, sabbe te visuddhacittā anāvilasaṅkappāti— ādesanāpāṭihāriyaṁ.

Those who are endowed with that knowing, all of them have pure minds and untroubled thoughts: this is the miracle of instruction.

“Taṁ kho pana ñāṇaṁ evaṁ āsevitabbaṁ, evaṁ bhāvetabbaṁ, evaṁ bahulīkātabbaṁ, evaṁ tadanudhammatā sati upaṭṭhāpetabbā”ti— anusāsanīpāṭihāriyaṁ.

That knowing should be practiced, developed, made much of, and established with mindfulness in accordance with the teaching: this is the miracle of guidance.

Pāmojjaṁ ijjhatīti—iddhi.

Joy succeeds: this is power.

Aratiṁ paṭiharatīti—pāṭihāriyaṁ.

He dispels aversion: this is a miracle.

Ye tena pāmojjena samannāgatā, sabbe te visuddhacittā anāvilasaṅkappāti— ādesanāpāṭihāriyaṁ.

Those who are endowed with that joy, all of them have pure minds and untroubled thoughts: this is the miracle of instruction.

“Taṁ kho pana pāmojjaṁ evaṁ āsevitabbaṁ, evaṁ bhāvetabbaṁ, evaṁ bahulīkātabbaṁ, evaṁ tadanudhammatā sati upaṭṭhāpetabbā”ti— anusāsanīpāṭihāriyaṁ …pe….

That joy should be cultivated in this way, developed in this way, made much of in this way, and mindfulness in accordance with it should be established in this way: this is the miracle of admonition.

Paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ ijjhatīti—iddhi.

The first jhāna is accomplished: this is power.

Nīvaraṇe paṭiharatīti—pāṭihāriyaṁ.

He dispels hindrances: this is a miracle.

Ye tena paṭhamena jhānena samannāgatā, sabbe te visuddhacittā anāvilasaṅkappāti— ādesanāpāṭihāriyaṁ.

Those who are endowed with the first jhāna, all of them have pure minds and untroubled thoughts: this is the miracle of instruction.

“Taṁ kho pana paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ evaṁ āsevitabbaṁ, evaṁ bhāvetabbaṁ, evaṁ bahulīkātabbaṁ, evaṁ tadanudhammatā sati upaṭṭhāpetabbā”ti— anusāsanīpāṭihāriyaṁ …pe….

That first jhāna should be cultivated in this way, developed in this way, made much of in this way, and mindfulness in accordance with it should be established in this way: this is the miracle of admonition.

Arahattamaggo ijjhatīti—iddhi.

The path to arahantship is accomplished: this is power.

Sabbakilese paṭiharatīti—pāṭihāriyaṁ.

He dispels all defilements: this is a miracle.

Ye tena arahattamaggena samannāgatā, sabbe te visuddhacittā anāvilasaṅkappāti— ādesanāpāṭihāriyaṁ.

Those who are endowed with the path to arahantship, all of them have pure minds and untroubled thoughts: this is the miracle of instruction.

“So kho pana arahattamaggo evaṁ āsevitabbo, evaṁ bhāvetabbo, evaṁ bahulīkātabbo, evaṁ tadanudhammatā sati upaṭṭhāpetabbā”ti— anusāsanīpāṭihāriyaṁ.

That path to arahantship should be cultivated in this way, developed in this way, made much of in this way, and mindfulness in accordance with it should be established in this way: this is the miracle of admonition.

Nekkhammaṁ ijjhatīti—iddhi.

Renunciation is accomplished: this is power.

Kāmacchandaṁ paṭiharatīti—pāṭihāriyaṁ.

He dispels sense satisfaction: this is a miracle.

Yā ca iddhi yañca pāṭihāriyaṁ, idaṁ vuccati iddhipāṭihāriyaṁ.

Both the power and the miracle, this is called the miracle of power.

Abyāpādo ijjhatīti—iddhi.

Non-ill will is accomplished: this is power.

Byāpādaṁ paṭiharatīti—pāṭihāriyaṁ.

He dispels ill will: this is a miracle.

Yā ca iddhi yañca pāṭihāriyaṁ, idaṁ vuccati iddhipāṭihāriyaṁ.

Both the power and the miracle, this is called the miracle of power.

Ālokasaññā ijjhatīti—iddhi.

Perception of light is accomplished: this is power.

Thinamiddhaṁ paṭiharatīti—pāṭihāriyaṁ …pe…

He dispels sloth and torpor: this is a miracle.

arahattamaggo ijjhatīti—iddhi.

The path to arahantship is accomplished: this is power.

Sabbakilese paṭiharatīti—pāṭihāriyaṁ.

He dispels all defilements: this is a miracle.

Yā ca iddhi yañca pāṭihāriyaṁ, idaṁ vuccati iddhipāṭihāriyanti.

Both the power and the miracle, this is called the miracle of power.

Pāṭihāriyakathā niṭṭhitā.

The discourse on miracles is finished.