A detailed analysis of the four bases of psychic powers - collectedness arising from aspiration, energy, purification of mind, and investigation.

SN 51.20 Vibhaṅga sutta - Analysis of the Four Bases of Psychic Powers

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

“Bhikkhus, these four bases of psychic powers, when cultivated and frequently practiced, are of great fruit and benefit.

Kathaṁ bhāvitā ca, bhikkhave, cattāro iddhipādā kathaṁ bahulīkatā mahapphalā honti mahānisaṁsā? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti—iti me chando na ca atilīno bhavissati, na ca atippaggahito bhavissati, na ca ajjhattaṁ saṅkhitto bhavissati, na ca bahiddhā vikkhitto bhavissati. Pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati—yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure; yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho; yathā divā tathā rattiṁ yathā rattiṁ tathā divā. Iti vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.

“How, bhikkhus, are the four bases of psychic powers cultivated and frequently practiced so that they are of great fruit and great benefit? 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, a wish [chanda]| and accompanied by intentional effort thus: ‘My aspiration will not be too slack, nor too intense, nor inwardly inhibited, nor outwardly scattered. He dwells continuously aware: ‘As before, so after; as after, so before; as below, so above; as above, so below; as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.’ Thus with a mind that is clarified and unconfined, he develops a radiant mind.”

Vīriyasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti—iti me vīriyaṁ na ca atilīnaṁ bhavissati, na ca atippaggahitaṁ bhavissati, na ca ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ bhavissati, na ca bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ bhavissati. Pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati—yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure; yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho; yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā. Iti vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.

A bhikkhu develops the base of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from |determination::willpower, energy [vīriya]| and accompanied by intentional effort thus: ‘My energy will not be too slack, nor too intense, nor inwardly inhibited, nor outwardly scattered.’ He dwells continuously aware: ‘As before, so after; as after, so before; as below, so above; as above, so below; as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.’ Thus with a mind that is clarified and unconfined, he develops a radiant mind.

Cittasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti—iti me cittaṁ na ca atilīnaṁ bhavissati, na ca atippaggahitaṁ bhavissati, na ca ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ bhavissati, na ca bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ bhavissati. Pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati—yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure; yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho; yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā. Iti vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.

A bhikkhu develops the base of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from [purification of] |mind::thought, intention, idea [citta]| and accompanied by intentional effort thus: ‘My mind will not be too slack, nor too intense, nor inwardly inhibited, nor outwardly scattered.’ He dwells continuously aware: ‘As before, so after; as after, so before; as below, so above; as above, so below; as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.’ Thus with a mind that is clarified and unconfined, he develops a radiant mind.

vīmaṁsāsamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti—iti me vīmaṁsā na ca atilīnā bhavissati, na ca atippaggahitā bhavissati, na ca ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittā bhavissati, na ca bahiddhā vikkhittā bhavissati. Pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati—yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure; yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho; yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā. Iti vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.

A bhikkhu develops the base of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from |investigation::consideration, reflection, and examination [vīmaṃsā]| and accompanied by intentional effort thus: ‘My investigation will not be too slack, nor too intense, nor inwardly inhibited, nor outwardly scattered.’ He dwells dwells continuously aware: ‘As before, so after; as after, so before; as below, so above; as above, so below; as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.’ Thus with a mind that is clarified and unconfined, he develops a radiant mind.

Analysis of Aspiration

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, atilīno chando? Yo, bhikkhave, chando kosajjasahagato kosajjasampayutto—ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atilīno chando.

Bhikkhus, what is an aspiration that is too slack? Bhikkhus, aspiration that is accompanied by laziness and associated with laziness — this is called aspiration that is too slack.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, atippaggahito chando? Yo, bhikkhave, chando uddhaccasahagato uddhaccasampayutto—ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atippaggahito chando.

Bhikkhus, what is an aspiration that is too intense? Bhikkhus, aspiration that is accompanied by restlessness and associated with restlessness — this is called aspiration that is too intense.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhitto chando? Yo, bhikkhave, chando thinamiddhasahagato thinamiddhasampayutto—ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhitto chando.

Bhikkhus, what is an aspiration that is inwardly inhibited? Bhikkhus, aspiration that is accompanied by dullness and drowsiness and associated with dullness and drowsiness — this is called aspiration that is inwardly inhibited.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhitto chando? Yo, bhikkhave, chando bahiddhā pañca kāmaguṇe ārabbha anuvikkhitto anuvisaṭo—ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhitto chando.

Bhikkhus, what is an aspiration that is outwardly scattered? Bhikkhus, aspiration that is outwardly scattered due to engagement with the five cords of sensual pleasure — this is called aspiration that is outwardly scattered.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati—yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pacchāpuresaññā suggahitā hoti sumanasikatā sūpadhāritā suppaṭividdhā paññāya. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati—yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure.

And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu dwell continuously aware: ‘As before, so after; as after, so before’? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu’s mindfulness of before and after is well grasped, well attended to, well sustained, and well penetrated by wisdom. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating ‘As before, so after; as after, so before.’

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho viharati? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ uddhaṁ pādatalā adho kesamatthakā tacapariyantaṁ pūraṁ nānappakārassa asucino paccavekkhati: ‘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. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho viharati.

Bhikkhus, how does a bhikkhu dwell contemplating ‘As below, so above; as above, so below’? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu contemplates this very body from the soles of the feet upward and from the crown of the head downward, bounded by skin and full of various kinds of impurities: ‘In this body there are hairs of the head, hairs of the body, nails, teeth, skin; flesh, |sinews::tendons and ligaments connecting muscle to bone [nhāru]|, bones, |bone marrow::the soft tissue inside the bones [aṭṭhimiñjaṁ]|, kidneys; heart, liver, |inner membrane::the pleura or fascia wrapping the organs [kilomaka]|, |spleen::the blood-filtering organ under the left ribs [pihaka]|, lungs; intestines, |mesentery::the tissue binding the intestines; lit. intestine string [antaguṇa]|, |stomach contents::undigested food; lit. related to the belly [udariya]|, |feces::excrement, digested waste [karīsaṁ]|, [brain]; |bile::digestive fluid, usually visualized in the gall bladder [pittaṁ]|, |phlegm::mucus of the respiratory tract [semha]|, |pus::fluid resulting from infection or decay [pubba]|, blood, |sweat::perspiration exuded from pore spaces [seda]|, |fat::thick, adipose tissue [meda]|, tears, |grease::liquid fat or skin oils (distinct from solid fat) [vasā]|, saliva, |nasal mucus::snot, fluid from the nose [siṅghāṇikā]|, |synovial fluid::lubricating fluid inside the joints [lasikā]|, and |urine::liquid waste stored in the bladder [mutta]|.’ Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating ‘As below, so above; as above, so below.’

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā viharati? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yehi ākārehi yehi liṅgehi yehi nimittehi divā chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, so tehi ākārehi tehi liṅgehi tehi nimittehi rattiṁ chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti; yehi vā pana ākārehi yehi liṅgehi yehi nimittehi rattiṁ chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, so tehi ākārehi tehi liṅgehi tehi nimittehi divā chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā viharati.

Bhikkhus, how does a bhikkhu dwell contemplating ‘As by day, so by night; as by night, so by day’? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the base of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from aspiration, accompanied by an intention of continuous effort by day, and also by night, thus: ‘My aspiration will not be too slack, nor too intense, nor inwardly inhibited, nor outwardly scattered.’ He dwells contemplating ‘As before, so after; as after, so before; as below, so above; as above, so below; as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.’ Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating ‘As by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.’

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 how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu develop a mind that is clarified, unconfined and radiant? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu’s |perception of brightness::perception of light [ālokasaññā]| is well grasped, and his perception of day is well established. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops a mind that is clarified, unconfined, and radiant.”

Analysis of Determination

Katamañca, bhikkhave, atilīnaṁ vīriyaṁ? Yaṁ, bhikkhave, vīriyaṁ kosajjasahagataṁ kosajjasampayuttaṁ—idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atilīnaṁ vīriyaṁ.

And what, bhikkhus, is determination that is too slack? Bhikkhus, determination that is accompanied by laziness and associated with laziness — this is called determination that is too slack.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, atippaggahitaṁ vīriyaṁ? Yaṁ, bhikkhave, vīriyaṁ uddhaccasahagataṁ uddhaccasampayuttaṁ—idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atippaggahitaṁ vīriyaṁ.

And what, bhikkhus, is determination that is too intense? Bhikkhus, determination that is accompanied by restlessness and associated with restlessness — this is called determination that is too intense.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ vīriyaṁ? Yaṁ, bhikkhave, vīriyaṁ thinamiddhasahagataṁ thinamiddhasampayuttaṁ—idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ vīriyaṁ.

And what, bhikkhus, is determination that is inwardly inhibited? Bhikkhus, determination that is accompanied by dullness and drowsiness and associated with dullness and drowsiness — this is called determination that is inwardly inhibited.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ vīriyaṁ? Yaṁ, bhikkhave, vīriyaṁ bahiddhā pañca kāmaguṇe ārabbha anuvikkhittaṁ anuvisaṭaṁ—idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ vīriyaṁ.

And what, bhikkhus, is determination that is outwardly scattered? Bhikkhus, determination that is outwardly scattered due to engagement with the five cords of sensual pleasure — this is called determination that is outwardly scattered.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pacchāpuresaññī ca viharati—yathā pure tathā pacchā, yathā pacchā tathā pure; yathā adho tathā uddhaṁ, yathā uddhaṁ tathā adho; yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā. Iti vivaṭena cetasā apariyonaddhena sappabhāsaṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.

And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu dwell continuously aware: ‘As before, so after; as after, so before?’ Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu’s mindfulness of before and after is well grasped, well attended to, well sustained, and well penetrated by wisdom. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating ‘As before, so after; as after, so before.’

And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu dwell contemplating ‘As below, so above; as above, so below?’ Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu contemplates this very body from the soles of the feet upward and from the crown of the head downward, bounded by skin and full of various kinds of impurities: ‘In this body there are hairs of the head, hairs of the body, nails, teeth, skin; flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, kidneys; heart, liver, inner membrane, spleen, lungs; intestines, mesentery, stomach contents, feces, [brain]; bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, grease, saliva, nasal mucus, synovial fluid, and urine.’ Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating ‘As below, so above; as above, so below.’

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā viharati? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yehi ākārehi yehi liṅgehi yehi nimittehi divā vīriyasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, so tehi ākārehi tehi liṅgehi tehi nimittehi rattiṁ vīriyasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti; yehi vā pana ākārehi yehi liṅgehi yehi nimittehi rattiṁ vīriyasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, so tehi ākārehi tehi liṅgehi tehi nimittehi divā vīriyasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā viharati.

And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu dwell contemplating ‘As by day, so by night; as by night, so by day?’ Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the base of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from determination, accompanied by an intention of continuous effort by day, and also by night, thus: ‘My determination will not be too slack, nor too intense, nor inwardly inhibited, nor outwardly scattered.’ He dwells contemplating ‘As before, so after; as after, so before; as below, so above; as above, so below; as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.’ Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating ‘As by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.’

And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu develop a mind that is clarified, unconfined, and radiant? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu’s perception of brightness is well grasped, and his perception of day is well established. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops a mind that is clarified, unconfined, and radiant.

Analysis of Mind

Katamañca, bhikkhave, atilīnaṁ cittaṁ? Yaṁ, bhikkhave, cittaṁ kosajjasahagataṁ kosajjasampayuttaṁ—idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atilīnaṁ cittaṁ.

And what, bhikkhus, is a mind that is too slack? Bhikkhus, a mind that is accompanied by laziness and associated with laziness — this is called a mind that is too slack.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, atippaggahitaṁ cittaṁ? Yaṁ, bhikkhave, cittaṁ uddhaccasahagataṁ uddhaccasampayuttaṁ—idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atippaggahitaṁ cittaṁ.

And what, bhikkhus, is a mind that is too intense? Bhikkhus, a mind that is accompanied by restlessness and associated with restlessness — this is called a mind that is too intense.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ cittaṁ? Yaṁ, bhikkhave, cittaṁ thinamiddhasahagataṁ thinamiddhasampayuttaṁ—idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ cittaṁ.

And what, bhikkhus, is a mind that is inwardly inhibited? Bhikkhus, a mind that is accompanied by dullness and drowsiness and associated with dullness and drowsiness — this is called a mind that is inwardly inhibited.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ cittaṁ? Yaṁ, bhikkhave, cittaṁ bahiddhā pañca kāmaguṇe ārabbha anuvikkhittaṁ anuvisaṭaṁ—idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ cittaṁ.

And what, bhikkhus, is a mind that is outwardly scattered? Bhikkhus, a mind that is outwardly scattered due to engagement with the five cords of sensual pleasure — this is called a mind that is outwardly scattered.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā viharati? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yehi ākārehi yehi liṅgehi yehi nimittehi divā cittasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, so tehi ākārehi tehi liṅgehi tehi nimittehi rattiṁ cittasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti; yehi vā pana ākārehi yehi liṅgehi yehi nimittehi rattiṁ cittasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, so tehi ākārehi tehi liṅgehi tehi nimittehi divā cittasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā viharati.

And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu dwell contemplating ‘As by day, so by night; as by night, so by day?’ Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the base of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from mind, accompanied by an intention of continuous effort by day, and also by night, thus: ‘My mind will not be too slack, nor too intense, nor inwardly inhibited, nor outwardly scattered.’ He dwells contemplating ‘As before, so after; as after, so before; as below, so above; as above, so below; as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.’ Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating ‘As by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.’

Analysis of Investigation

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, atilīnā vīmaṁsā? Yā, bhikkhave, vīmaṁsā kosajjasahagatā kosajjasampayuttā—ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atilīnā vīmaṁsā.

And what, bhikkhus, is an investigation that is too slack? Bhikkhus, an investigation that is accompanied by laziness and associated with laziness — this is called an investigation that is too slack.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, atippaggahitā vīmaṁsā? Yā, bhikkhave, vīmaṁsā uddhaccasahagatā uddhaccasampayuttā—ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, atippaggahitā vīmaṁsā.

And what, bhikkhus, is an investigation that is too intense? Bhikkhus, an investigation that is accompanied by restlessness and associated with restlessness — this is called an investigation that is too intense.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittā vīmaṁsā? Yā, bhikkhave, vīmaṁsā thinamiddhasahagatā thinamiddhasampayuttā—ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittā vīmaṁsā.

And what, bhikkhus, is an investigation that is inwardly inhibited? Bhikkhus, an investigation that is accompanied by dullness and drowsiness and associated with dullness and drowsiness — this is called an investigation that is inwardly inhibited.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittā vīmaṁsā? Yā, bhikkhave, vīmaṁsā bahiddhā pañca kāmaguṇe ārabbha anuvikkhittā anuvisaṭā—ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bahiddhā vikkhittā vīmaṁsā.

And what, bhikkhus, is an investigation that is outwardly scattered? Bhikkhus, an investigation that is outwardly scattered due to engagement with the five cords of sensual pleasure — this is called an investigation that is outwardly scattered.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā viharati? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yehi ākārehi yehi liṅgehi yehi nimittehi divā vīmaṁsāsamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, so tehi ākārehi tehi liṅgehi tehi nimittehi rattiṁ vīmaṁsāsamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti; yehi vā pana ākārehi yehi liṅgehi yehi nimittehi rattiṁ vīmaṁsāsamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, so tehi ākārehi tehi liṅgehi tehi nimittehi divā vīmaṁsāsamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathā divā tathā rattiṁ, yathā rattiṁ tathā divā viharati.

And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu dwell contemplating ‘As by day, so by night; as by night, so by day?’ Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the base of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from investigation, accompanied by an intention of continuous effort by day, and also by night, thus: ‘My investigation will not be too slack, nor too intense, nor inwardly inhibited, nor outwardly scattered.’ He dwells contemplating ‘As before, so after; as after, so before; as below, so above; as above, so below; as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.’ Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating ‘As by day, so by night; as by night, so by day.’

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

Thus cultivated and frequently practiced, bhikkhus, the four bases of psychic powers are of great fruit and great benefit.

Evaṁ bhāvitesu kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu catūsu iddhipādesu evaṁ bahulīkatesu, anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamānā agamaṁsu, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ akaṁsu, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne agamaṁsu, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamiṁsu, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimasiṁsu parimajjiṁsu; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vattesuṁ. Evaṁ bhāvitesu kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu catūsu iddhipādesu evaṁ bahulīkatesu, āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharatī”ti.

Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu who has cultivated and frequently practiced the four bases of psychic powers experiences various kinds of psychic powers: being one, he becomes many; being many, he becomes one; he appears and disappears; he passes through walls, enclosures, and mountains as though through space; he dives in and out of the earth as though it were water; he walks on water without sinking as though on solid ground; he flies through the air cross-legged like a bird with wings; he touches and strokes the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful; and he wields mastery with his body even as far as the Brahmā world. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu who has cultivated and frequently practiced the four bases of psychic powers, through the wearing away of the taints, attains and dwells in the taintless release of mind and release by wisdom, having realized it with direct knowledge in this very life.”