The disciple replied: "There are six Abhiññas: (1) The celestial
eye; (2) the celestial ear; (3) the body at will or the power of
transformation; (4) the knowledge of the destiny of former
dwellings, so as to know former states of existence; (5) the
faculty of reading the thoughts of others; and (6) the knowledge
of comprehending the finality of the stream of life." 30
And the Blessed One replied: "These are wondrous things; but
verily, every man can attain them. Consider the abilities of
thine own mind; thou wert born about two hundred leagues from
here and canst thou not in thy thought, in an instant travel to
thy native place and remember the details of thy father's home?
Seest thou not with thy mind's eye the roots of the tree which is
shaken by the wind without being overthrown? Does not the
collector of herbs see in his mental vision, whenever he pleases,
any plant with its roots, its stem, its fruits, leaves, and even
the uses to which it can be applied? Cannot the man who
understands languages recall to his mind any word whenever he
pleases, knowing its exact meaning and import? How much more does
the Tathāgata understand the nature of things; he looks into the
hearts of men and reads their thoughts. He knows the evolution of
beings and foresees their ends." 31
Said the disciple: "Then the Tathāgata teaches that man can
attain through the Jhānas the bliss of Abhiñña." 32
And the Blessed One asked in reply: "Which are the Jhānas through
which man reaches Abhiñña?" 33
The disciple replied: "There are four Jhānas. The first Jhāna is
seclusion in which one must free his mind from sensuality; the
second Jhāna is a tranquillity of mind full of joy and gladness;
the third Jhāna is a taking delight in things spiritual; the
fourth Jhāna is a state of perfect purity and peace in which the
mind is above all gladness and grief." 34
"Good, my son," enjoined the Blessed One. "Be sober and abandon
wrong practices which serve only to stultify the mind." 35
Said the disciple: "Forbear with me, O Blessed One, for I have
faith without understanding and I am seeking the truth. O Blessed
One, O Tathāgata, my Lord and Master, teach me the Iddhipāda." 36
The Blessed One said: "There are four means by which Iddhi is
acquired; (1) Prevent bad qualities from arising. (2) Put away
bad qualities which have arisen. (3) Produce goodness that does
not yet exist. (4) Increase goodness which already
exists.--Search with sincerity, and persevere in the search. In
the end thou wilt find the truth." 37