Part 17 (2/2)
366. Q. _What is this branch of science called?_
A. The Pali name is Iddhi-vidhanana.
367. Q. _How many kinds are there?_
A. Two: _Bahira_, _i.e._, one in which the phenomena-working power may be temporarily obtained by ascetic practices and also by resort to drugs, the recitation of _mantras_ (charms), or other extraneous aids; and _Sasaniks_, that in which the power in question is acquired by interior self-development, and covers all and more than the phenomena of _Laukika Iddhi_.
368. Q. _What cla.s.s of men enjoy these powers?_
A. They gradually develop in one which pursues a certain course of ascetic practice called _Dhyana_.
369. Q. Can this Iddhi power be lost?[1]
A. The _Bahira_ can be lost, but the _Sasanika_ never, when once acquired. _Lokottara_ knowledge once obtained is never lost, and it is by this knowledge _only_ that the absolute condition of Nirvana is known by the Arhat. And this knowledge can be got by following the n.o.ble life of the Eightfold Path.
370. Q. _Had Buddha the Lokottara Iddhi?_
A. Yes, in perfection.
371. Q. _And his disciples also had it?_
A. Yes, some but not all equally; the capacity for acquiring these occult powers varies with the individual.
372. Q. _Give examples?_
A. Of all the disciples of the Buddha, Mogallana was possessed of the most extraordinary powers for making phenomena, while Ananda could develop none during the twenty-five years in which he was the personal and intimate disciple of the Buddha himself. Later he did, as the Buddha had foretold he would.
373. Q. _Does a man acquire these powers suddenly or gradually?_
A. Normally, they gradually develop themselves as the disciple progressively gains control over his lower nature in a series of births.[2]
374. Q. _Does Buddhism pretend that the miracle of raising those who are dead is possible?_
A. No. The Buddha teaches the contrary, in that beautiful story of Kisa Gotami and the mustard-seed. But when a person only seems to be dead but is not actually so, resuscitation is possible.
375. Q. _Give me an idea of these successive stages of the Lokottara development in Iddhi?_
A. There are six degrees attainable by Arhats; what is higher than them is to be reached only by a Buddha.
376. Q. _Describe the six stages or degrees?_
A. We may divide them into two groups, of three each. The first to include (1) Progressive retrospection, _viz._, a gradually acquired power to look backward in time towards the origin of things; (2) Progressive foresight, or power of prophecy; (3) Gradual extinction of desires and attachments to material things.
377. Q. _What would the second group include?_
A. The same faculties, but inimitably developed. Thus, the full Arhat possesses perfect retrospection, perfect foresight, and has absolutely extinguished the last trace of desire and selfish attractions.
378. Q. _What are the four means for obtaining Iddhi?_
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