KN.PS3.2 — Discussion on Supernormal Powers
What is supernormal power?
How many supernormal powers are there?
How many bases, supports, factors, and roots are there for supernormal power?
What is supernormal power?
Supernormal power is the state of accomplishment.
How many supernormal powers are there?
There are ten supernormal powers.
How many bases are there for supernormal power?
There are four bases, four supports, eight factors, and sixteen roots for supernormal power.
What are the ten supernormal powers?
The ten supernormal powers are: the power of determination, the power of transformation, the power of mind-made creation, the power of knowing expansion, the power of concentration expansion, the noble power, the power resulting from karma, the power of the meritorious, the power of knowing, and the power of proper application leading to accomplishment.
What are the four bases for supernormal power?
The four bases for supernormal power are: the first jhāna as the base of seclusion, the second jhāna as the base of joy and happiness, the third jhāna as the base of equanimity and happiness, and the fourth jhāna as the base of neither pain nor pleasure.
These four bases for supernormal power lead to the attainment of supernormal power, the acquisition of supernormal power, the transformation of supernormal power, the manifestation of supernormal power, the mastery of supernormal power, and the confidence in supernormal power.
What are the four supports for supernormal power?
Here, a disciple develops the support of supernormal power endowed with concentration due to desire, the support of supernormal power endowed with concentration due to effort, the support of supernormal power endowed with concentration due to mind, and the support of supernormal power endowed with concentration due to investigation.
These four supports for supernormal power lead to the attainment of supernormal power, the acquisition of supernormal power, the transformation of supernormal power, the manifestation of supernormal power, the mastery of supernormal power, and the confidence in supernormal power.
What are the eight factors for supernormal power?
If a disciple relies on desire, he attains concentration and one-pointedness of mind. Desire is not concentration, and concentration is not desire. Desire is one thing, and concentration is another.
If a disciple relies on effort, he attains concentration and one-pointedness of mind. Effort is not concentration, and concentration is not effort. Effort is one thing, and concentration is another.
If a disciple relies on mind, he attains concentration and one-pointedness of mind. Mind is not concentration, and concentration is not mind. Mind is one thing, and concentration is another.
If a disciple relies on investigation, he attains concentration and one-pointedness of mind. Investigation is not concentration, and concentration is not investigation. Investigation is one thing, and concentration is another.
These eight factors for supernormal power lead to the attainment of supernormal power, the acquisition of supernormal power, the transformation of supernormal power, the manifestation of supernormal power, the mastery of supernormal power, and the confidence in supernormal power.
What are the sixteen roots of psychic power?
A mind that does not waver in laziness is called imperturbable.
A mind that does not waver in restlessness is called imperturbable.
A mind that does not waver in lust is called imperturbable.
A mind that does not waver in ill-will is called imperturbable.
A mind that does not waver in views is called imperturbable.
A mind that does not waver in desire and lust is called imperturbable.
A mind that is free from sensual lust is called imperturbable.
A mind that is free from defilements is called imperturbable.
A mind that is not limited by defilements is called imperturbable.
A mind that is unified and not disturbed by various defilements is called imperturbable.
A mind that is grasped by faith is not disturbed by lack of faith and is called imperturbable.
A mind that is grasped by energy is not disturbed by laziness and is called imperturbable.
A mind that is grasped by mindfulness is not disturbed by negligence and is called imperturbable.
A mind that is grasped by concentration is not disturbed by restlessness and is called imperturbable.
A mind that is grasped by wisdom is not disturbed by ignorance and is called imperturbable.
A mind that is illuminated is not disturbed by the darkness of ignorance and is called imperturbable.
These sixteen roots of psychic power lead to the attainment of psychic power, the acquisition of psychic power, the transformation of psychic power, the manifestation of psychic power, the mastery of psychic power, and the confidence in psychic power.
3.2.1. Description of the Ten Psychic Powers
What is the psychic power of determination?
Here, a disciple experiences various kinds of psychic power:
He becomes one and many, and many and one;
He appears and disappears;
He goes unimpeded through walls, enclosures, and mountains as if through space;
He dives in and out of the earth as if in water;
He walks on water without sinking as if on land;
He flies cross-legged through the sky like a bird;
He touches and strokes the sun and moon, mighty and powerful as they are;
He exercises control over his body as far as the Brahma world.
Here means in this view, in this acceptance, in this inclination, in this adherence, in this teaching, in this discipline, in this doctrine and discipline, in this instruction, in this holy life, in this teacher's teaching.
Therefore, it is said:
Here.
Disciple means he may be a good ordinary person, a trainee, or an arahant who is unshakable.
Experiences various kinds of psychic power means he experiences various kinds of psychic power.
Becoming one, he becomes many means that by nature, one contemplates many, whether it be a hundred, a thousand, or a hundred thousand.
After contemplating, he determines with knowing:
I become many.
He becomes many.
Just as the venerable Cūḷapanthaka, being one, becomes many, similarly, he who has attained psychic power and mastery over the mind, being one, becomes many.
Becoming many, he becomes one means that by nature, many contemplate one;
after contemplating, he determines with knowing:
I become one.
He becomes one.
Just as the venerable Cūḷapanthaka, being many, becomes one, similarly, he who has attained psychic power and mastery over the mind, being many, becomes one.
Manifestation means it is uncovered by anyone, not hidden, open, and evident.
Disappearance means it is covered by anyone, hidden, closed, and concealed.
Passing through walls, enclosures, and mountains without obstruction, as if through space means that by nature, he attains the attainment of the space kasina.
He contemplates walls, enclosures, and mountains.
After contemplating, he determines with knowing:
Let there be space.
There is space.
He passes through walls, enclosures, and mountains without obstruction.
Just as people by nature, without psychic power, pass through uncovered, unenclosed spaces without obstruction, similarly, he who has attained psychic power and mastery over the mind passes through walls, enclosures, and mountains without obstruction, as if through space.
Performing the act of diving and emerging in the earth, as if in water means that by nature, he attains the attainment of the water kasina.
He contemplates the earth.
After contemplating, he determines with knowing:
Let there be water.
There is water.
He performs the act of diving and emerging in the earth.
Just as people by nature, without psychic power, perform the act of diving and emerging in water, similarly, he who has attained psychic power and mastery over the mind performs the act of diving and emerging in the earth, as if in water.
Walking on water without sinking, as if on land means that by nature, he attains the attainment of the earth kasina.
He contemplates water.
After contemplating, he determines with knowing:
Let there be earth.
There is earth.
He walks on water without sinking.
Just as people by nature, without psychic power, walk on solid ground without sinking, similarly, he who has attained psychic power and mastery over the mind walks on water without sinking, as if on land.
Flying cross-legged through the air, as if a winged bird means that by nature, he attains the attainment of the earth kasina.
He directs his mind to the sky.
Having directed it, he determines with knowing:
Let there be earth.
There is earth.
He walks, stands, sits, and lies down in the sky and the atmosphere.
Just as humans without supernatural powers walk, stand, sit, and lie down on the earth by nature, in the same way, he with supernatural powers and mastery over the mind walks, stands, sits, and lies down in the sky and the atmosphere, like a bird.
He touches and strokes the moon and the sun, which are so powerful and mighty, with his hand.
Here, he with supernatural powers and mastery over the mind, while sitting or lying down, directs his mind to the moon and the sun.
Having directed it, he determines with knowing:
Let them be within reach.
They are within reach.
While sitting or lying down, he touches, strokes, and rubs the moon and the sun with his hand.
Just as humans without supernatural powers touch, stroke, and rub any visible object within reach by nature, in the same way, he with supernatural powers and mastery over the mind, while sitting or lying down, touches, strokes, and rubs the moon and the sun with his hand.
Even to the Brahma world, he exercises control with his body.
If he with supernatural powers and mastery over the mind wishes to go to the Brahma world, he determines from afar:
Let it be near.
It is near.
From near, he determines:
Let it be far.
It is far.
He determines much to be little:
Let it be little.
It is little.
He determines little to be much:
Let it be much.
It is much.
With the divine eye, he sees the form of that Brahma.
With the divine ear element, he hears the sound of that Brahma.
With the knowing of the minds of others, he knows the mind of that Brahma.
If he with supernatural powers and mastery over the mind wishes to go to the Brahma world with a visible body, he directs his mind according to the body, determines his mind according to the body.
Having directed his mind according to the body, having determined his mind according to the body, and having entered into the perception of ease and lightness, he goes to the Brahma world with a visible body.
If he with supernatural powers and mastery over the mind wishes to go to the Brahma world with an invisible body, he directs his body according to the mind, determines his body according to the mind.
Having directed his body according to the mind, having determined his body according to the mind, and having entered into the perception of ease and lightness, he goes to the Brahma world with an invisible body.
He creates in front of the Brahma a mind-made form, complete with all limbs and faculties, not deficient in any sense.
If he, endowed with supernormal power, walks, the created form also walks there.
If he, endowed with supernormal power, stands, the created form also stands there.
If he, endowed with supernormal power, sits, the created form also sits there.
If he, endowed with supernormal power, lies down, the created form also lies down there.
If he, endowed with supernormal power, emits smoke, the created form also emits smoke there.
If he, endowed with supernormal power, blazes up, the created form also blazes up there.
If he, endowed with supernormal power, speaks the Dhamma, the created form also speaks the Dhamma there.
If he, endowed with supernormal power, asks a question, the created form also asks a question there.
If he, endowed with supernormal power, answers a question, the created form also answers a question there.
If he, endowed with supernormal power, stands together with that Brahma, converses, and engages in discussion, the created form also stands together with that Brahma, converses, and engages in discussion there.
Whatever the one endowed with supernormal power does, the created form also does exactly that:
this is the supernormal power of determination.
What is the transformation supernormal power?
Abhibhū, a disciple of the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Fully Enlightened One, while standing in the Brahma world, made known a thousandfold world system with his voice.
He taught the Dhamma with a visible body;
he taught the Dhamma with an invisible body;
he taught the Dhamma with the lower half of his body visible and the upper half invisible;
he taught the Dhamma with the upper half of his body visible and the lower half invisible.
He abandoned his natural appearance and displayed the appearance of a young boy, or the appearance of a nāga, or the appearance of a garuḍa, or the appearance of a yakkha, or the appearance of an Indra, or the appearance of a deva, or the appearance of a Brahma, or the appearance of an ocean, or the appearance of a mountain, or the appearance of a forest, or the appearance of a lion, or the appearance of a tiger, or the appearance of a leopard, or he displayed the appearance of an elephant, or the appearance of a horse, or the appearance of a chariot, or the appearance of a foot soldier, or he displayed various kinds of military formations:
this is the transformation supernormal power.
What is the mind-made supernormal power?
Here, a disciple creates from this body another body, having form, mind-made, complete with all limbs and faculties, not deficient in any sense.
Just as a man would draw a reed from its sheath.
This is a reed, this is a stalk.
One is a reed, the other is a stalk.
The stalk is extracted from the reed.
Just as a man would draw a sword from its sheath.
He would think:
This is the sword, this is the sheath.
One is the sword, the other is the sheath.
The sword is drawn from the sheath.
Just as a man would draw a snake from its basket.
He would think:
This is the snake, this is the basket.
One is the snake, the other is the basket.
The snake is drawn from the basket.
In the same way, a disciple creates another body from this body, a body with form, mind-made, complete in all its parts, not deficient in any faculty.
This is the mind-made power.
What is the power of knowing expansion?
By contemplating impermanence, the perception of permanence is abandoned:
this is the power of knowing expansion.
By contemplating suffering, the perception of pleasure is abandoned...
by contemplating non-self, the perception of self is abandoned...
by contemplating disenchantment, delight is abandoned...
by contemplating dispassion, passion is abandoned...
by contemplating cessation, arising is abandoned...
by contemplating relinquishment, grasping is abandoned:
this is the power of knowing expansion.
The venerable Bākula has the power of knowing expansion, the venerable Saṅkicca has the power of knowing expansion, the venerable Bhūtapāla has the power of knowing expansion.
This is the power of knowing expansion.
What is the power of concentration expansion?
By the first jhāna, the hindrances are abandoned:
this is the power of concentration expansion.
By the second jhāna, applied and sustained thought are abandoned:
this is the power of concentration expansion.
By the third jhāna, rapture is abandoned...
by the fourth jhāna, pleasure and pain are abandoned...
by the attainment of the base of infinite space, the perceptions of form, resistance, and diversity are abandoned...
by the attainment of the base of infinite consciousness, the perception of the base of infinite space is abandoned...
by the attainment of the base of nothingness, the perception of the base of infinite consciousness is abandoned...
by the attainment of the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, the perception of the base of nothingness is abandoned:
this is the power of concentration expansion.
The venerable Sāriputta has the power of concentration expansion, the venerable Sañjīva has the power of concentration expansion, the venerable Khāṇukoṇḍañña has the power of concentration expansion, the laywoman Uttarā has the power of concentration expansion, the laywoman Sāmāvatī has the power of concentration expansion.
This is the power of concentration expansion.
What is the noble power?
Here, a disciple, if he wishes:
To dwell perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive, he dwells perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive.
If he wishes:
To dwell perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive, he dwells perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive.
If he wishes:
To dwell perceiving the unrepulsive in both the repulsive and the unrepulsive, he dwells perceiving the unrepulsive in both the repulsive and the unrepulsive.
If he wishes:
To dwell perceiving the repulsive in both the unrepulsive and the repulsive, he dwells perceiving the repulsive in both the unrepulsive and the repulsive.
If he wishes:
To dwell with equanimity, mindful and clearly knowing, avoiding both the repulsive and the unrepulsive, he dwells with equanimity, mindful and clearly knowing.
How does one dwell perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive?
In an undesirable object, he pervades it with goodwill or he considers it in terms of elements.
Thus, he dwells perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive.
How does one dwell perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive?
In a desirable object, he pervades it with the perception of foulness or he considers it as impermanent.
Thus, he dwells perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive.
How does one dwell perceiving the unrepulsive in both the repulsive and the unrepulsive?
In both undesirable and desirable objects, he pervades them with goodwill or he considers them in terms of elements.
Thus, he dwells perceiving the unrepulsive in both the repulsive and the unrepulsive.
How does one dwell perceiving the repulsive in both the unrepulsive and the repulsive?
In both desirable and undesirable objects, he pervades them with the perception of foulness or he considers them as impermanent.
Thus, he dwells perceiving the repulsive in both the unrepulsive and the repulsive.
How does one dwell with equanimity, mindful and clearly knowing, avoiding both the repulsive and the unrepulsive?
Here, a disciple, seeing a form with the eye, is neither pleased nor displeased, but dwells with equanimity, mindful and clearly knowing.
Hearing a sound with the ear...
Smelling an odor with the nose...
Tasting a flavor with the tongue...
Touching a tangible object with the body...
Cognizing a mental object with the mind, he is neither pleased nor displeased, but dwells with equanimity, mindful and clearly knowing.
Thus, he dwells with equanimity, mindful and clearly knowing, avoiding both the repulsive and the unrepulsive.
This is the noble power.
What is the power resulting from karma?
For all birds, for all gods, for some humans, for some beings in the lower realms.
This is the power that comes from the fruition of karma.
What is the power of the meritorious?
The wheel-turning monarch travels through the sky with his fourfold army, including even the horse grooms and gatekeepers.
The power of the meritorious householder Jotika, the power of the meritorious householder Jatila, the power of the meritorious householder Mendaka, the power of the meritorious householder Ghosita, the power of the five great meritorious ones.
This is the power of the meritorious.
What is the power that comes from knowing?
The knowing-bearers, having mastered knowing, travel through the sky, they show elephants in the air, they show horses, they show chariots, they show bowls, they show various military formations.
This is the power that comes from knowing.
How is there power in the sense of accomplishment due to proper application in various situations?
Through renunciation, the state of abandoning sensual desire is accomplished:
Thus, there is power in the sense of accomplishment due to proper application in various situations.
Through non-ill-will, the state of abandoning ill-will is accomplished:
Thus, there is power in the sense of accomplishment due to proper application in various situations … and so on …
Through the path of arahantship, the state of abandoning all defilements is accomplished:
Thus, there is power in the sense of accomplishment due to proper application in various situations.
Thus, there is power in the sense of accomplishment due to proper application in various situations.
These are the ten powers.
The discourse on powers is finished.