Studies in the Origins of Buddhism c19.120

c19.120

Mrs. Rhys Davids rightly pleads for a more careful and sympathetic treatment of the whole subject of Iddhi (Sakya. p. 235). The connection of some of the Iddhis with the subject of psychical research is doubtless apparent, although those forming part of the formula for the “iddhividhās” are altogether more “wonderful”. Of miracles (Pāṭihāriya) Iddhi is only a part. In DN.-s-11 Buddha is made to distinguish between Iddhipāṭihāriya, ādesana°87 and anusāsani°. All these belong to the class of the supernormal (Uttarimanussa Dhammā) Buddha points out that the first two may also be the result of Gandhārī vijjā (magic) or crystal-gazing (maṇikā nāma vijjā). It is the third which alone is truly spiritual, and is consequently advocated. The hostile attitude of Buddha towards ‘Iddhi’ as commonly understood comes out also in DN. III. (1st sutta).88