Saṁyutta Nikāya 51.20 2. Pāsādakampanavagga Vibhaṅgasutta “Cattārome, bhikkhave, iddhipādā bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā honti mahānisaṁsā”.

Pāsādakampanavagga Vibhaṅgasutta - The Four Bases of Spiritual Power

Disciples, there are four kinds of iddhipādā (bases of spiritual power) that, when developed and cultivated abundantly, yield great results and benefits.

Kathaṁ bhāvitā ca, bhikkhave, cattāro iddhipādā kathaṁ bahulīkatā mahapphalā honti mahānisaṁsā?

How are these four iddhipādā developed and cultivated abundantly to yield great results and benefits?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti— iti me chando na ca atilīno bhavissati, na ca atippaggahito bhavissati, na ca ajjhattaṁ saṅkhitto bhavissati, na ca bahiddhā vikkhitto bhavissati.

Here, a disciple develops the iddhipāda associated with desire, which is characterized by the following qualities: My desire will not be excessive, nor will it be poorly grasped, nor will it be confined within, nor will it be scattered without.

Pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati— yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure; yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho; yathā divā tathā rattiṁ yathā rattiṁ tathā divā.

He dwells with a clear awareness of the present moment: just as it is in the past, so it is in the future; just as it is below, so it is above; just as it is during the day, so it is at night; just as it is at night, so it is during the day.

Iti vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.

Thus, with a mind that is open, unconfined, and radiant, he develops his mind.

Vīriyasamādhi …pe… cittasamādhi … vīmaṁsāsamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti— iti me vīmaṁsā na ca atilīnā bhavissati, na ca atippaggahitā bhavissati, na ca ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittā bhavissati, na ca bahiddhā vikkhittā bhavissati.

Similarly, he develops the iddhipāda associated with energy, and the iddhipāda associated with investigation, characterized by the same qualities: My investigation will not be excessive, nor will it be poorly grasped, nor will it be confined within, nor will it be scattered without.

Pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati— yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure; yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho; yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā.

He dwells with a clear awareness of the present moment: just as it is in the past, so it is in the future; just as it is below, so it is above; just as it is during the day, so it is at night; just as it is at night, so it is during the day.

Iti vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.

Thus, with a mind that is open, unconfined, and radiant, he develops his mind.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, atilīno chando?

What is excessive desire?

Yo, bhikkhave, chando kosajjasahagato kosajjasampayutto— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atilīno chando.

It is that desire which is accompanied by laziness and is associated with laziness: this is called excessive desire, disciples.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, atippaggahito chando?

What is poorly grasped desire?

Yo, bhikkhave, chando uddhaccasahagato uddhaccasampayutto— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atippaggahito chando.

It is that desire which is accompanied by restlessness and is associated with restlessness: this is called poorly grasped desire, disciples.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhitto chando?

What is confined desire?

Yo, bhikkhave, chando thinamiddhasahagato thinamiddhasampayutto— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhitto chando.

It is that desire which is accompanied by sloth and torpor and is associated with sloth and torpor: this is called confined desire, disciples.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhitto chando?

What is scattered desire?

Yo, bhikkhave, chando bahiddhā pañca kāmaguṇe ārabbha anuvikkhitto anuvisaṭo— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhitto chando.

It is that desire which is scattered externally, being directed towards the five sensual pleasures: this is called scattered desire, disciples.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati— yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure?

How does a disciple dwell with clear awareness of the present moment: just as it is in the past, so it is in the future?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pacchāpuresaññā suggahitā hoti sumanasikatā sūpadhāritā suppaṭividdhā paññāya.

Here, the disciple's awareness of the present moment is well established, well focused, well maintained, and well known with wisdom.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati— yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure. Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho viharati? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ uddhaṁ pādatalā adho kesamatthakā tacapariyantaṁ pūraṁ nānappakārassa asucino paccavekkhati: ‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye kesā lomā nakhā dantā taco maṁsaṁ nhāru aṭṭhi aṭṭhimiñjaṁ vakkaṁ hadayaṁ yakanaṁ kilomakaṁ pihakaṁ papphāsaṁ antaṁ antaguṇaṁ udariyaṁ karīsaṁ pittaṁ semhaṁ pubbo lohitaṁ sedo medo assu vasā kheḷo siṅghāṇikā lasikā muttan’ti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho viharati.

Thus a disciple dwells with a mind that is balanced between the past and the future: just as it was in the past, so it is in the future; just as it is in the future, so it was in the past.

And how does a disciple dwell with a mind that is balanced between above and below, just as it is below, so it is above; just as it is above, so it is below? Here a disciple reflects on this very body, from the soles of the feet upwards, and from the top of the hair downwards, encompassing it all, in various ways, as impure.

He reflects: In this body, there are hair, skin, nails, teeth, flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, intestines, stomach, bile, phlegm, blood, sweat, fat, tears, saliva, mucus, and urine.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā viharati? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yehi ākārehi yehi liṅgehi yehi nimittehi divā chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, so tehi ākārehi tehi liṅgehi tehi nimittehi rattiṁ chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti; yehi vā pana ākārehi yehi liṅgehi yehi nimittehi rattiṁ chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, so tehi ākārehi tehi liṅgehi tehi nimittehi divā chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.

Thus a disciple dwells with a mind that is balanced between above and below, just as it is below, so it is above; just as it is above, so it is below. And how does a disciple dwell with a mind that is balanced between day and night, just as it is during the day, so it is during the night; just as it is during the night, so it is during the day? Here a disciple develops the iddhipāda (bases of spiritual power) that is associated with the factors of energy and concentration during the day, and he develops the same iddhipāda during the night.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā viharati.

Similarly, if he develops the iddhipāda during the night, he will develop it during the day as well.

Thus a disciple dwells with a mind that is balanced between day and night, just as it is during the day, so it is during the night; just as it is during the night, so it is during the day.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti?

And how does a disciple cultivate a mind that is bright, unconfined, and radiant?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ālokasaññā suggahitā hoti divāsaññā svādhiṭṭhitā.

Here the disciple's perception of light is well-established, and his perception of day is firmly grounded.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.

Thus a disciple cultivates a mind that is bright, unconfined, and radiant.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, atilīnaṁ vīriyaṁ?

What is slack energy?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, vīriyaṁ kosajjasahagataṁ kosajjasampayuttaṁ— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atilīnaṁ vīriyaṁ.

That energy which is accompanied by laziness and associated with laziness: this is called slack energy, disciples.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, atippaggahitaṁ vīriyaṁ?

What is overexerted energy?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, vīriyaṁ uddhaccasahagataṁ uddhaccasampayuttaṁ— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atippaggahitaṁ vīriyaṁ.

That energy which is accompanied by restlessness and associated with restlessness: this is called overexerted energy, disciples.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ vīriyaṁ?

What is internally confined energy?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, vīriyaṁ thinamiddhasahagataṁ thinamiddhasampayuttaṁ— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ vīriyaṁ.

That energy which is accompanied by sloth and torpor and associated with sloth and torpor: this is called internally confined energy, disciples.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ vīriyaṁ?

What is the scattered energy, disciples?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, vīriyaṁ bahiddhā pañca kāmaguṇe ārabbha anuvikkhittaṁ anuvisaṭaṁ—idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ vīriyaṁ …pe….

That energy which is scattered externally, is that which is directed towards the five sensual pleasures and is subsequently disturbed and distracted.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti?

This is called scattered energy, disciples.

How does a disciple develop a clear and unconfined mind that is radiant?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ālokasaññā suggahitā hoti divāsaññā svādhiṭṭhitā.

Here the disciple has a perception of light that is well-established during the day.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.

Thus the disciple develops a clear and unconfined mind that is radiant.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, atilīnaṁ cittaṁ?

What is a lethargic mind, disciples?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, cittaṁ kosajjasahagataṁ kosajjasampayuttaṁ— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atilīnaṁ cittaṁ.

That mind which is associated with sloth and torpor, and is accompanied by sloth and torpor: this is called a lethargic mind, disciples.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, atippaggahitaṁ cittaṁ?

What is an agitated mind, disciples?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, cittaṁ uddhaccasahagataṁ uddhaccasampayuttaṁ— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atippaggahitaṁ cittaṁ.

That mind which is associated with restlessness and is accompanied by restlessness: this is called an agitated mind, disciples.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ cittaṁ?

What is a contracted mind, disciples?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, cittaṁ thinamiddhasahagataṁ thinamiddhasampayuttaṁ— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ cittaṁ.

That mind which is associated with sloth and torpor, and is accompanied by sloth and torpor: this is called a contracted mind, disciples.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ cittaṁ?

What is a scattered mind, disciples?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, cittaṁ bahiddhā pañca kāmaguṇe ārabbha anuvikkhittaṁ anuvisaṭaṁ— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ cittaṁ …pe…

That mind which is scattered externally, directed towards the five sensual pleasures, and is subsequently disturbed and distracted: this is called a scattered mind, disciples.

evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.

Thus the disciple develops a clear and unconfined mind that is radiant.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, atilīnā vīmaṁsā?

What is a lethargic investigation, disciples?

Yā, bhikkhave, vīmaṁsā kosajjasahagatā kosajjasampayuttā— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atilīnā vīmaṁsā.

That investigation which is associated with sloth and torpor, and is accompanied by sloth and torpor: this is called a lethargic investigation, disciples.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, atippaggahitā vīmaṁsā?

What is an agitated investigation, disciples?

Yā, bhikkhave, vīmaṁsā uddhaccasahagatā uddhaccasampayuttā— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atippaggahitā vīmaṁsā.

That investigation which is associated with restlessness and is accompanied by restlessness: this is called an agitated investigation, disciples.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittā vīmaṁsā?

What is a contracted investigation, disciples?

Yā, bhikkhave, vīmaṁsā thinamiddhasahagatā thinamiddhasampayuttā— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittā vīmaṁsā.

That investigation which is associated with sloth and torpor, and is accompanied by sloth and torpor: this is called a contracted investigation, disciples.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittā vīmaṁsā?

What is a scattered investigation, disciples?

Yā, bhikkhave, vīmaṁsā bahiddhā pañca kāmaguṇe ārabbha anuvikkhittā anuvisaṭā— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittā vīmaṁsā …pe…

That investigation which is scattered externally, directed towards the five sensual pleasures, and is subsequently disturbed and distracted: this is called a scattered investigation, disciples.

evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.

Thus the disciple develops a clear and unconfined mind that is radiant.

Evaṁ bhāvitā kho, bhikkhave, cattāro iddhipādā evaṁ bahulīkatā mahapphalā honti mahānisaṁsā.

When developed in this way the four bases of spiritual power become abundant and yield great benefits and advantages.

Evaṁ bhāvitesu kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu catūsu iddhipādesu evaṁ bahulīkatesu, anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti …pe…

When cultivated in this way the disciple experiences various kinds of miraculous powers in the four bases of spiritual power: being one, he becomes many; being many, he becomes one...

yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.

up to the point where he can manifest in the Brahma realms as well.

Evaṁ bhāvitesu kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu catūsu iddhipādesu evaṁ bahulīkatesu, āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharatī”ti. Dasamaṁ. Pāsādakampanavaggo dutiyo. Tassuddānaṁ Pubbaṁ mahapphalaṁ chandaṁ, Moggallānañca uṇṇābhaṁ; Dve samaṇabrāhmaṇā bhikkhu, Desanā vibhaṅgena cāti.

Thus when a disciple has developed the four bases of spiritual power and has become proficient in them, he experiences the cessation of defilements and attains a liberated mind, a wisdom-liberated mind, and dwells in that state having directly realized it for himself.