Human Development
Supernormal powers
Description:
Comparable with the [siddhis] of Hinduism, five kinds of direct knowledge are enumerated: knowledge of supernormal powers such as one becoming many; deva-hearing (divine ear element); penetration of minds (knowledge of others' thoughts); recollection of previous existences; knowledge of passing away and rebirth of beings. Other sources refer mainly to the first of these and details this power as: to manifest one's self in multiple forms; to transform one's self into another form; to make one's self invisible; to be able to make one's physical body pass through solid things; to be able to walk on water; to be able to touch the sun and moon; to be able to explore the heavens; to be able to emanate a spiritual body from one's own body; to have knowledge enabling one to be safe from harm when times are perilous; to have complete concentration.Only those having vast previous endeavour are endowed with such knowledge. For others wishing achieve it, the Path of Purification gives details as to how such knowledge is attained. First, the meditator must achieve the eight attainments (jhana) in each of the first eight kasinas, ending with the white kasina. He has complete control of his mind so that he may subdue it in fourteen ways:
1. He repeatedly attains jhana in each kasina in order, starting with earth and ending with white.
2. He repeatedly attains jhana in each kasina in reverse order, starting with white and ending with earth.
3. He repeatedly attains jhana in each kasina in order and in reverse order, from earth to white and then from white to earth.
4. He repeatedly attains from the first jhana to the base of neither perception nor non-perception in the order of the jhanas.
5. He repeatedly attains from the the base of neither perception nor non-perception to the first jhana in the reverse order of the jhanas.
6. He repeatedly attains from the first jhana to the base of neither perception nor non-perception and from the base of neither perception nor non-perception to the first jhana in the order and then the reverse order of the jhanas.
7. Following the order of the kasinas from earth to white, he skips alternate jhanas in each kasina (first, third jhanas, base of boundless space, base of nothingness).
8. Following the order of the jhanas he skips alternate kasinas, so that the first jhana is attained in the earth kasina, then in the fire, then in the blue, then in the red.
9. Skipping jhanas and kasinas he goes from the first jhana in the earth kasina to the third jhana in the fire kasina, then boundless space after removing the blue kasina, then nothingness from the red kasina.
10. Transposing factors he goes from the first jhana in the earth kasina to the other jhanas in the same kasina.
11. Transposing the object he goes from the first jhana in the earth kasina to the first in the water kasina and so on.
12. From the first jhana in the earth kasina he goes to the second jhana in the water kasina up to the base of neither perception nor non-perception from the white kasina - transposing factor and object.
13. Definition or fixing of factors - the first jhana has five factors, the second three, up to the base consisting of neither perception nor non-perception.
14. Definition or fixing of only the object - this has earth kasina as object, etc.
Having reached this stage, which is very difficult and achieved by very few, the meditator may begin to accomplish transformation by supernormal or psychic power. The mind is purified and bright, unblemished and devoid of evil, it has become supple and is ready to act, it is firm and steady and thus imperturbable. When consciousness possesses these eight factors it may be directed to realization through direct or psychic knowledge of states which can be realized by such knowledge. Numerous stories are told of those who, achieving this state, work miracles.
For direct knowledge, further to the practice described above, the four planes or stages, the four bases or roads, the eight steps, the sixteen roots of supernormal power must be accomplished. The planes are the four jhanas: first, seclusion; second, happiness and bliss; third, equanimity and bliss; fourth, neither pain nor pleasure. The roads are: concentration due to purpose, zeal, right effort (will to strive); concentration due to energy and right effort (will to strive); concentration due to natural purity of consciousness and right effort (will to strive); inquiry and right effort (will to strive).
The steps on the road are: obtaining unification of mind or concentration supported by zeal; obtaining unification of mind or concentration supported by energy; obtaining unification of mind or concentration supported by purity of consciousness; obtaining unification of mind or concentration supported by inquiry.
The roots are of imperturbability of mind are: undejected consciousness; unelated consciousness; unattracted consciousness; unrepelled consciousness; independent consciousness; untrammelled consciousness; liberated consciousness; unassociated consciousness; consciousness rid of barriers; unified consciousness; consciousness reinforced by faith; consciousness reinforced by energy; consciousness reinforced by mindfulness; consciousness reinforced by concentration; consciousness reinforced by understanding; illuminated consciousness.
Having accomplished all these things, the meditator attains jhana as basis for direct knowledge and emerges from it and repeats the process depending on what he resolves, for example, resolving to become many. Then, when he emerges from the jhana and resolves to become many he appears as, say, 100 persons. Similarly the visible may be made invisible and the invisible visible. Or there may be control of the elements through their respective kasinas, so that earth may become as water and be dived into and out of, or earth may be made in space so the meditator travels in space as he does on earth. Similarly what is far can be made near, what is little can be made much, what is much can be made little. There may be transformation into another body or creation of another body. Numerous examples of mind-made changes are enumerated.
The school of Buddhism most emphasizing the [siddhis] is "diamond vehicle" Buddhism - [vajrayana], recognizing eight "ordinary" powers: the sword of unconquerability; invisibility; swiftness in running; the power to fly; ability to make magic pills; an elixir making gods visible to the eyes; control over spirits and demons; perpetual youth. There is only one extraordinary power, the [supreme siddhi], which is enlightenment itself.