SN51.20 — Pāsādakampanavagga Vibhaṅgasutta

Disciples, there are four kinds of iddhipādā (bases of spiritual power) that, when developed and cultivated abundantly, yield great results and benefits.

How are these four iddhipādā developed and cultivated abundantly to yield great results and benefits? Here, a disciple develops the iddhipāda associated with desire, which is characterized by the following qualities: My desire will not be excessive, nor will it be poorly grasped, nor will it be confined within, nor will it be scattered without.

He dwells with a clear awareness of the present moment: just as it is in the past, so it is in the future; just as it is below, so it is above; just as it is during the day, so it is at night; just as it is at night, so it is during the day. Thus, with a mind that is open, unconfined, and radiant, he develops his mind.

Similarly, he develops the iddhipāda associated with energy, and the iddhipāda associated with investigation, characterized by the same qualities: My investigation will not be excessive, nor will it be poorly grasped, nor will it be confined within, nor will it be scattered without.

What is excessive desire? It is that desire which is accompanied by laziness and is associated with laziness: this is called excessive desire, disciples.

What is poorly grasped desire? It is that desire which is accompanied by restlessness and is associated with restlessness: this is called poorly grasped desire, disciples.

What is confined desire? It is that desire which is accompanied by sloth and torpor and is associated with sloth and torpor: this is called confined desire, disciples.

What is scattered desire? It is that desire which is scattered externally, being directed towards the five sensual pleasures: this is called scattered desire, disciples.

How does a disciple dwell with clear awareness of the present moment: just as it is in the past, so it is in the future? Here, the disciple's awareness of the present moment is well established, well focused, well maintained, and well understood with wisdom.

Thus a disciple dwells with a mind that is balanced between the past and the future: just as it was in the past, so it is in the future; just as it is in the future, so it was in the past.

And how does a disciple dwell with a mind that is balanced between above and below, just as it is below, so it is above; just as it is above, so it is below? Here a disciple reflects on this very body, from the soles of the feet upwards, and from the top of the hair downwards, encompassing it all, in various ways, as impure. He reflects: In this body, there are hair, skin, nails, teeth, flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, intestines, stomach, bile, phlegm, blood, sweat, fat, tears, saliva, mucus, and urine.

Thus a disciple dwells with a mind that is balanced between above and below, just as it is below, so it is above; just as it is above, so it is below.

And how does a disciple dwell with a mind that is balanced between day and night, just as it is during the day, so it is during the night; just as it is during the night, so it is during the day? Here a disciple develops the iddhipāda (bases of spiritual power) that is associated with the factors of energy and concentration during the day, and he develops the same iddhipāda during the night. Similarly, if he develops the iddhipāda during the night, he will develop it during the day as well.

Thus a disciple dwells with a mind that is balanced between day and night, just as it is during the day, so it is during the night; just as it is during the night, so it is during the day.

And how does a disciple cultivate a mind that is bright, unconfined, and radiant? Here the disciple's perception of light is well-established, and his perception of day is firmly grounded.

Thus a disciple cultivates a mind that is bright, unconfined, and radiant.

What is slack energy? That energy which is accompanied by laziness and associated with laziness: this is called slack energy, disciples.

What is overexerted energy? That energy which is accompanied by restlessness and associated with restlessness: this is called overexerted energy, disciples.

What is internally confined energy? That energy which is accompanied by sloth and torpor and associated with sloth and torpor: this is called internally confined energy, disciples.

What is the scattered energy, disciples?

That energy which is scattered externally, is that which is directed towards the five sensual pleasures and is subsequently disturbed and distracted. This is called scattered energy, disciples.

How does a disciple develop a clear and unconfined mind that is radiant?

Here the disciple has a perception of light that is well-established during the day. Thus the disciple develops a clear and unconfined mind that is radiant.

What is a lethargic mind, disciples?

That mind which is associated with sloth and torpor, and is accompanied by sloth and torpor: this is called a lethargic mind, disciples.

What is an agitated mind, disciples?

That mind which is associated with restlessness and is accompanied by restlessness: this is called an agitated mind, disciples.

What is a contracted mind, disciples?

That mind which is associated with sloth and torpor, and is accompanied by sloth and torpor: this is called a contracted mind, disciples.

What is a scattered mind, disciples?

That mind which is scattered externally, directed towards the five sensual pleasures, and is subsequently disturbed and distracted: this is called a scattered mind, disciples.

Thus the disciple develops a clear and unconfined mind that is radiant.

What is a lethargic investigation, disciples?

That investigation which is associated with sloth and torpor, and is accompanied by sloth and torpor: this is called a lethargic investigation, disciples.

What is an agitated investigation, disciples?

That investigation which is associated with restlessness and is accompanied by restlessness: this is called an agitated investigation, disciples.

What is a contracted investigation, disciples?

That investigation which is associated with sloth and torpor, and is accompanied by sloth and torpor: this is called a contracted investigation, disciples.

What is a scattered investigation, disciples?

That investigation which is scattered externally, directed towards the five sensual pleasures, and is subsequently disturbed and distracted: this is called a scattered investigation, disciples.

Thus the disciple develops a clear and unconfined mind that is radiant.

When developed in this way the four bases of spiritual power become abundant and yield great benefits and advantages.

When cultivated in this way the disciple experiences various kinds of miraculous powers in the four bases of spiritual power: being one, he becomes many; being many, he becomes one... up to the point where he can manifest in the Brahma realms as well.

Thus when a disciple has developed the four bases of spiritual power and has become proficient in them, he experiences the cessation of defilements and attains a liberated mind, a wisdom-liberated mind, and dwells in that state having directly realized it for himself.