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Linked Discourses · SN 51.12

  • Linked Discourses 51.12Saṁyutta Nikāya 51.12
  • 2. Shaking the Stilt Longhouse2. Pāsādakampanavagga

Very FruitfulMahapphalasutta

“Mendicants, 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 mendicant develops the basis of psychic power that has immersion 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 before and behind:Pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati— as before, so behind; as behind, 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 immersion 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 before and behind:Pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati— as before, so behind; as behind, 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. 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 mendicant wields the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again … controlling the body as far as the realm of divinity. …Evaṁ bhāvitesu kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu catūsu iddhipādesu evaṁ bahulīkatesu anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti …pe… yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti …pe….

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. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life 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.

Similar passages elsewhere

Found by meaning, not by citation: the passages in other texts whose wording sits closest to a passage here.

  1. SN 51.21 The Path 0.92near 2.10When the four bases of psychic power have been developed and cultivated in this way, a mendicant wields the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again … controlling the body as far as the…
  2. SN 51.20 Analysis 0.89near 0.1Linked Discourses 51.20 2. Shaking the Stilt Longhouse Analysis “Mendicants, when the four bases of psychic power are developed and cultivated they’re very fruitful and beneficial. How so? It’s when a mendicant develops…
  3. SN 51.11 Before 0.70near 0.1Linked Discourses 51.11 2. Shaking the Stilt Longhouse Before At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, before my awakening—when I was still unawakened but intent on awakening—I thought: ‘What’s the cause, what’s the reason for the deve…
  4. SN 51.25 Fruits (1st) 0.70near 2.10Linked Discourses 51.25 3. The Iron Ball Fruits (1st) “Mendicants, there are these four bases of psychic power. What four? It’s when a mendicant develops the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to enthusiasm ……
  5. SN 51.23 A Mendicant 0.70near 2.10Linked Discourses 51.23 3. The Iron Ball A Mendicant “Mendicants, there are these four bases of psychic power. What four? It’s when a mendicant develops the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to enthusiasm … e…
  6. SN 51.31 About Moggallāna 0.67near 2.10The mendicant Moggallāna has become so powerful and mighty by developing and cultivating these four bases of psychic power. And by developing and cultivating these four bases of psychic power, the mendicant Moggallāna wi…
  7. SN 51.18 A Mendicant 0.64near 0.1Linked Discourses 51.18 2. Shaking the Stilt Longhouse A Mendicant “Mendicants, by developing and cultivating the four bases of psychic power, a mendicant realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. An…
  8. MN 77 The Longer Discourse with Sakuludāyī 0.63near 0.1They generate enthusiasm, try, make an effort, exert the mind, and strive so that skillful qualities arise. They generate enthusiasm, try, make an effort, exert the mind, and strive so that skillful qualities that have a…