[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Dictionary of Pali Proper Names](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937) › v2.c32.117 # Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c32.117 Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v2.c32.117 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c32.117](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c32.117) Yamaka-pāṭihāriya.—The miracle of the “double appearances.” When the Buddha laid down a rule forbidding the exercise of supernatural powers by monks—following on the miracle performed by Piṇḍola-Bhāradvāja (q.v.)—the heretics went about saying that henceforth they would perform no miracles except with the Buddha. Bimbisāra reported this to the Buddha, who at once accepted the challenge, explaining that the rule was for his disciples and did not apply to himself. He, therefore, went to Sāvatthi, the place where all Buddhas perform the Miracle. In reply to Pasenadi, the Buddha said he would perform the miracle at the foot of the Gaṇḍamba-tree on the full-moon day of Āsāḷha.¹ The heretics therefore uprooted all mango-trees for one league around, but, on the promised day, the Buddha went to the king's garden, accepted the mango offered by Gaṇḍa, and caused a marvellous tree to sprout from its seed. The people, discovering what the heretics had done, attacked them, and they had to flee helter-skelter.² The multitude, assembled to witness the miracle, extended to a distance of thirty-six leagues. The Buddha created a jewelled walk in the air by the side of the Gaṇḍamba. When the Buddha's disciples knew what was in his mind, several of them offered to perform miracles and so refute the insinuations of the heretics. Among such disciples were Gharaṇī, Culla Anāthapiṇḍika, Cirā, Cunda, Uppalavaṇṇā and Moggallāna. The Buddha refused their offers and related the Kaṇhausabha and Nandivisāla Jātakas. Then, standing on the jewelled walk, he proceeded to perform the Yamakapāṭihāriya (Twin Miracle), so called because it consisted in the appearance of phenomena of opposite character in pairs—e.g., producing flames from the upper part of the body and a stream of water from the lower, and then alternatively. Flames of fire and streams of water also proceeded alternatively from the right side of his body and from the left.³ From every pore of his body rays of six colours darted forth, upwards to the realm of Brahmā and downwards to the edge of the Cakkavāḷa. The Miracle lasted for a long while, and as the Buddha walked up and down the jewelled terrace he preached to the multitude from time to time. It is said that he performed miracles and preached sermons during sixteen days, according to the various dispositions of those present in the assembly. At the conclusion of the Miracle, the Buddha, following the example of his predecessors, made his way, in three strides, to Tāvatiṃsa, there to preach the Abhidhamma Piṭaka to his mother, now born as a devaputta.⁴ - [Previous: v2.c32.116](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c32.116) - [Next: v2.c32.118](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c32.118) - [Up: v2.c32](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c32) ## Linked texts (1) - [Jātaka](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.sp.khuddaka.jataka) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c32.117](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c32.117) · Pramāṇa