Overview
While the Buddha possessed supreme psychic abilities, he strictly regulated their display. He categorized miraculous powers into three types, condemning the public use of the first two as vulgar “tricks” that do not solve human suffering, while exalting the third as the only true miracle.
The List
- Iddhipāṭihāriya - The Miracle of Psychic Power: Physical feats such as walking on water, flying through the air, multiplying the body, or passing through walls. The Buddha felt repelled by this because it does not lead to liberation and can be mistaken for cheap magic.
- Ādesanāpāṭihāriya - The Miracle of Telepathy: The ability to read the minds of others, knowing their hidden thoughts and intentions. The Buddha also disliked displaying this for the same reasons.
- Anusāsanīpāṭihāriya - The Miracle of Instruction: The ability to teach the Dhamma with such precision and insight that the listener’s mind is transformed, leading them to abandon defilements and realize Nibbāna. The Buddha declared this the ultimate and supreme miracle.
Textual References
- Canonical: Kevaṭṭa Sutta (DN 11) – The Buddha explains to Kevaṭṭa why he refuses to command his monks to perform psychic tricks, praising only the miracle of instruction.