SN 45-56 The Group of Connected Discourses on the Path – Mahāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 51 Linked Discourses on the Bases of Psychic Power – Iddhipādasaṁyutta > SN 51.20 Analysis

Linked Discourses 51.20 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 51.20

2. Shaking the Stilt Longhouse – 2. Pāsādakampanavagga

SN 51.20 Analysis – Vibhaṅgasutta

“Bhikkhū, when the four bases of psychic power are developed and cultivated they’re very fruitful and beneficial.

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, iddhipādā bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā honti mahānisaṁsā”.

How so?

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

It’s when a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic power that has samādhi due to enthusiasm, and active effort.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti—

They think: ‘My enthusiasm won’t be too lax or too tense. And it’ll be neither constricted internally nor scattered externally.’

iti me chando na ca atilīno bhavissati, na ca atippaggahito bhavissati, na ca ajjhattaṁ saṅkhitto bhavissati, na ca bahiddhā vikkhitto bhavissati.

And they meditate perceiving continuity:

Pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati—

as before, so after; as after, so before;

yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure;

as below, so above; as above, so below;

yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho;

as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.

yathā divā tathā rattiṁ yathā rattiṁ tathā divā.

And so, with an open and unenveloped heart, they develop a mind that’s full of radiance.

Iti vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.

They develop the basis of psychic power that has samādhi due to energy …

Vīriyasamādhi …pe…

mental development …

cittasamādhi …

inquiry, and active effort.

vīmaṁsāsamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti—

They think: ‘My inquiry won’t be too lax or too tense. And it’ll be neither constricted internally nor scattered externally.’

iti me vīmaṁsā na ca atilīnā bhavissati, na ca atippaggahitā bhavissati, na ca ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittā bhavissati, na ca bahiddhā vikkhittā bhavissati.

And they meditate perceiving continuity:

Pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati—

as before, so after; as after, so before;

yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure;

as below, so above; as above, so below;

yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho;

as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.

yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā.

And so, with an open and unenveloped heart, they develop a mind that’s full of radiance.

Iti vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.

And what is enthusiasm that’s too lax?

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, atilīno chando?

It’s when enthusiasm is combined with laziness.

Yo, bhikkhave, chando kosajjasahagato kosajjasampayutto—

This is called lax enthusiasm.

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atilīno chando.

And what is enthusiasm that’s too tense?

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, atippaggahito chando?

It’s when enthusiasm is combined with restlessness.

Yo, bhikkhave, chando uddhaccasahagato uddhaccasampayutto—

This is called tense enthusiasm.

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atippaggahito chando.

And what is enthusiasm that’s constricted internally?

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhitto chando?

It’s when enthusiasm is combined with dullness and drowsiness.

Yo, bhikkhave, chando thinamiddhasahagato thinamiddhasampayutto—

This is called enthusiasm constricted internally.

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhitto chando.

And what is enthusiasm that’s distracted externally?

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhitto chando?

It’s when enthusiasm is frequently distracted and diffused externally on account of the five kinds of sensual stimulation.

Yo, bhikkhave, chando bahiddhā pañca kāmaguṇe ārabbha anuvikkhitto anuvisaṭo—

This is called enthusiasm distracted externally.

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhitto chando.

And how does a bhikkhu meditate perceiving continuity:

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati—

as before, so after; as after, so before?

yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure?

It’s when the perception of continuity is properly grasped, attended, borne in mind, and comprehended with wisdom by a bhikkhu.

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

That’s how a bhikkhu meditates perceiving continuity:

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati—

as before, so after; as after, so before.

yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure.

And how does a bhikkhu meditate as below, so above; as above, so below?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho viharati?

It’s when a bhikkhu examines their own body up from the soles of the feet and down from the tips of the hairs, wrapped in skin and full of many kinds of filth.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ uddhaṁ pādatalā adho kesamatthakā tacapariyantaṁ pūraṁ nānappakārassa asucino paccavekkhati:

‘In this body there is head hair, body hair, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery, undigested food, feces, bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, grease, saliva, snot, synovial fluid, urine.’

‘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.

That’s how a bhikkhu meditates as below, so above; as above, so below.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho viharati.

And how does a bhikkhu meditate as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā viharati?

It’s when a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic power that has samādhi due to enthusiasm, and active effort, with the same features, attributes, and signs by day as by night.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yehi ākārehi yehi liṅgehi yehi nimittehi divā chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, so tehi ākārehi tehi liṅgehi tehi nimittehi rattiṁ chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti;

And they develop it with the same features, attributes, and signs by night as by day.

yehi vā pana ākārehi yehi liṅgehi yehi nimittehi rattiṁ chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, so tehi ākārehi tehi liṅgehi tehi nimittehi divā chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.

That’s how a bhikkhu meditates as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.

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

And how, with an open and unenveloped heart, does a bhikkhu develop a mind that’s full of radiance?

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

It’s when a bhikkhu has properly grasped the perception of light, and has properly grasped the perception of day.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ālokasaññā suggahitā hoti divāsaññā svādhiṭṭhitā.

That’s how, with an open and unenveloped heart, a bhikkhu develops a mind that’s full of radiance.

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

And what is energy that’s too lax? …

Katamañca, bhikkhave, atilīnaṁ vīriyaṁ?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, vīriyaṁ kosajjasahagataṁ kosajjasampayuttaṁ—

idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atilīnaṁ vīriyaṁ.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, atippaggahitaṁ vīriyaṁ?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, vīriyaṁ uddhaccasahagataṁ uddhaccasampayuttaṁ—

idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atippaggahitaṁ vīriyaṁ.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ vīriyaṁ?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, vīriyaṁ thinamiddhasahagataṁ thinamiddhasampayuttaṁ—

idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ vīriyaṁ.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ vīriyaṁ?

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

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

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ālokasaññā suggahitā hoti divāsaññā svādhiṭṭhitā.

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

And what is mental development that’s too lax? …

Katamañca, bhikkhave, atilīnaṁ cittaṁ?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, cittaṁ kosajjasahagataṁ kosajjasampayuttaṁ—

idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atilīnaṁ cittaṁ.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, atippaggahitaṁ cittaṁ?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, cittaṁ uddhaccasahagataṁ uddhaccasampayuttaṁ—

idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atippaggahitaṁ cittaṁ.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ cittaṁ?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, cittaṁ thinamiddhasahagataṁ thinamiddhasampayuttaṁ—

idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ cittaṁ.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ cittaṁ?

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, cittaṁ bahiddhā pañca kāmaguṇe ārabbha anuvikkhittaṁ anuvisaṭaṁ—

idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ cittaṁ …pe…

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

And what is inquiry that’s too lax?

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, atilīnā vīmaṁsā?

It’s when inquiry is combined with laziness.

Yā, bhikkhave, vīmaṁsā kosajjasahagatā kosajjasampayuttā—

This is called lax inquiry.

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atilīnā vīmaṁsā.

And what is inquiry that’s too tense?

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, atippaggahitā vīmaṁsā?

It’s when inquiry is combined with restlessness.

Yā, bhikkhave, vīmaṁsā uddhaccasahagatā uddhaccasampayuttā—

This is called tense inquiry.

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atippaggahitā vīmaṁsā.

And what is inquiry that’s constricted internally?

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittā vīmaṁsā?

It’s when inquiry is combined with dullness and drowsiness.

Yā, bhikkhave, vīmaṁsā thinamiddhasahagatā thinamiddhasampayuttā—

This is called inquiry constricted internally.

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittā vīmaṁsā.

And what is inquiry that’s distracted externally?

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittā vīmaṁsā?

It’s when inquiry is frequently distracted and diffused externally on account of the five kinds of sensual stimulation.

Yā, bhikkhave, vīmaṁsā bahiddhā pañca kāmaguṇe ārabbha anuvikkhittā anuvisaṭā—

This is called inquiry distracted externally. …

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittā vīmaṁsā …pe…

That’s how, with an open and unenveloped heart, a bhikkhu develops a mind that’s full of radiance.

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

When the four bases of psychic power have been developed and cultivated in this way they’re very fruitful and beneficial.

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

When the four bases of psychic power have been developed and cultivated in this way, a bhikkhu wields the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again … controlling the body as far as the Brahmā realm.

Evaṁ bhāvitesu kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu catūsu iddhipādesu evaṁ bahulīkatesu, anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti …pe… yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.

When the four bases of psychic power have been developed and cultivated in this way, they realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements.”

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;