Developing the four bases of psychic powers can lead from the near shore to the far shore.

SN 51.1  Apāra sutta - From The Near Shore

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, iddhipādā bhāvitā bahulīkatā apārā pāraṁ gamanāya saṁvattanti.

“Bhikkhus, these four |bases of psychic power::bases for spiritual power, paths to supernormal abilities [iddhipādā]|, when developed and frequently practiced, lead from the near shore to the |far shore::beyond, across, over, epithet of Nibbāna [pāra]|.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, vīriyasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, cittasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, vīmaṁsāsamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.

“Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with |collectedness::stability of mind, stillness of mind, mental composure [samādhi]| arising from |aspiration::a goal, an interest, an objective, i.e. a wholesome motivation [chanda]| and and accompanied by intentional effort, develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from energy and accompanied by intentional effort, develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from |[purification of] mind::clearing the affective awareness of hindrances [citta]| and accompanied by intentional effort, and develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from |investigation::consideration, reflection and examination| and accompanied by intentional effort.”

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro iddhipādā bhāvitā bahulīkatā apārā pāraṁ gamanāya saṁvattantī”ti.

“These, bhikkhus, are the four bases of psychic powers, which, when developed and frequently practiced, lead from the near shore to the far shore.”

Last updated on June 10, 2026