Four Bases of Power

Category: Seven Sets

From Buddhist Encyclopedia

Also known as the Four Means of Accomplishment.

• Pali :  iddhipāda

Iddhi, the Pali world translated here as power means the supranormal powers that can be developed through concentration, such as levitation, walking on water, clairaudience, clairvoyance, remembrance of past lives, the ability to read the minds of others, and the ending of mental effluents. In the Buddhist analysis, only the last of these powers is transcendent. The others are not desirable, for an unawakened person might find that the attainment of any of them can cause supranormal greed, aversion, or delusion. The Pali Canon record cases where even Arahants, not fully sensitive to the effect that their actions might have on others, display their powers in inappropriate contexts. This was why the Buddha forbade his disciples from displaying their powers. None of the powers, the Buddha said, is any match for the wonder of the Dharma that give promised benefits when put into practice. See Kevattha Sutta.

Talk by Thanissaro Bhikkhu :

The Pali Canon explain the bases of power in two formula: brief and extended. The brief formula runs as follows :

• There is the case where a monk develops the base of power endowed with concentration founded on desire and the fabrication of exertion.
• He develops the base of power endowed with concentration founded on persistence and the fabrication of exertion.
• He develops the base of power endowed with concentration founded on intent and the fabrication of exertion.
• He develops the base of power endowed with concentration founded on discrimination and the fabrication of exertion.

Reference

• The Wings to Awakening by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, 1996, Dhamma Dana Publications