俱舍論疏 9.23

9.23

[On the Śāstra's statement:] "Among all supernormal powers […] because it is the most powerful": This clarifies superior and inferior. This Śāstra says: "The intermediate existence is fully endowed with the swiftest karmic supernormal power; up to the World-Honoured One, none can hinder or restrain it, because the force of karma is the most powerful." According to this text of the Śāstra, there are two meanings: first, the meaning of being the swiftest; second, the meaning of being unhindered. Fascicle 70 of the *Vibhāṣā* states: "Question: Between the supernormal power of psychic transformation and the movements in the state of the intermediate existence, which is swifter? The stated position is: the movement of psychic transformation is swift, not that of the intermediate existences. Question: If so, why does the sūtra say that the power of karma is superior to the supernormal power of psychic transformation? Answer: This statement was made based on the absence of hindrance, not based on the speed of movement. Namely, the Buddha's supernormal power can hinder the supernormal powers of all sentient beings; a pratyekabuddha [can hinder all] except the Buddha; Śāriputra [can hinder all] except the two; Mahāmaudgalyāyana [can hinder all] except the three—they can hinder all sentient beings. No Buddha, pratyekabuddha, any śrāvaka, or the spells and medicines of other sentient beings can hinder an intermediate existence from proceeding to the place where it should be reborn. Rather, it definitely goes there and links up with birth according to its category. Hence, the sūtra states that the power of karma is superior to supernormal powers. If one were to make an analysis based on speed of movement, one should say that supernormal powers surpass the intermediate existence." According to this text of the Śāstra, there is only one meaning. The *Nyāyānusāra* also cites this sūtra to prove that karmic supernormal power is swift. That treatise says: "Because the functioning of this supernormal power is fast, it is called swift; the intermediate existence possesses this swiftest karmic supernormal power, and among the rapid movements of all supernormal powers, none can surpass it." The meaning of the *Nyāyānusāra*'s text agrees with the *Abhidharmakośa*; according to this, it differs from the meaning in the *Vibhāṣā*.