Enlightenment on the issue of “supernatural powers”
What is supernatural power? The so-called “unpredictable and wonderful functions are called gods, and freedom and unhinderedness are the power of communication”, which means that the power of human movement is unpredictable and unhindered, and it is an ever-changing and incredible state. Where do supernatural powers come from? In short, Hinayana people practice the Four Noble Truths and observe the twelve causes and conditions, and when they practice contemplation to a perfect state, they will achieve supernatural powers. Mahayana people practice the Six Perfections, meditate, practice tranquility and vipassanā, and follow the path of Bodhisattvas. When they practice to a perfect state, they will achieve supernatural powers.
The magical powers of Arhats are different from those of Bodhisattvas. Arhat’s supernatural power has certain limits. He can only see things within three thousand great thousand worlds, hear sounds within three thousand great thousand worlds, and know causes and conditions within eighty thousand great kalpas. But you have to observe carefully to know. The Bodhisattva’s supernatural power has no limit. He can see the Buddha in the dust, the dust in the dust, and the Buddha in the dust. I can listen to the Buddhas in numerous realms expounding the wonderful Dharma. Able to know all the thoughts of sentient beings in this world. Being able to know causes and conditions beyond eighty thousand kalpas does not require observation in concentration, it can be known just by thinking about it.
Bodhisattvas obtain all kinds of magical powers because they practice the Bodhisattva path and have perfect merits and virtues. If we develop the bodhisattva heart and practice the bodhisattva path, we can also obtain various supernatural powers. As long as you cultivate to perfection, you will get it without asking for it.
After a Bodhisattva has supernatural powers, shouldn’t he show them? no. If a Bodhisattva has supernatural powers but does not display them, then what is the use of having supernatural powers? It seems that there was a man who had a jewel hidden in his clothes, not knowing that it was a priceless treasure. He was so poor that he had no food to eat, no clothes to wear, and no house to live in. He didn’t know how to exchange the pearls for money. This is also the case if one has supernatural powers but does not use them.
If you don’t have magical powers, if you want to use them, you can’t do it. It’s as ridiculous as trying to catch a fish out of a tree or talking about an idiot’s dream. But if you have magical powers, you can use them as much as possible. Educating and transforming sentient beings, using magical powers can have immediate results, strengthen sentient beings’ faith, and get twice the result with half the effort. This is a skillful and convenient method. Everyone, please pay attention! Demons will also show their magical powers, causing those who are greedy for magical powers and those without determination to fall into a trap, lose their karma, and become the followers of the demon king. Special attention should be paid to this point and no caution should be taken.
Nowadays, there are people who have no knowledge, especially those who have only a little knowledge of Buddhism. They follow the opinions of others and are specious about the truth of Buddhism. They do not seek to understand the truth of Buddhism. They even know nothing about it at all, or do not study the reason for Buddhism. If someone shows magical powers, they make a fuss and say: “In the age of the end of the Dharma, people cannot have magical powers!” How childish it is to say such a thing! They are simply the seeds of hell and have no understanding of Buddhism. Attention everyone! No matter what you are talking about, you should not criticize or make any judgments before you fully understand it. If you get the wrong cause and effect, you will go to tongue-pulling hell.
Buddhism has real truths, eternal laws, and golden words that have been refined over time. They are all spoken by the Buddha’s golden mouth and are also the Buddha’s words of experience. They are by no means deceiving oneself or deceiving others. The Buddha’s words and teachings are the scriptures, and the twelve parts of the Tripitaka are the true and correct teachings of the teaching of truth.
Where the truth lies, the Buddhas of the ten directions will come to protect it; where the truth lies, the Bodhisattvas of the ten directions will come to protect it; where the truth lies, the gods, dragons and eight parts of the world will come to protect it. Only those who understand the truth are true Buddhists. Buddhists who do not understand the truth are misleading themselves and others. Everyone! We must recognize the truth clearly and distinguish between right and wrong. We must not be confused and believe whatever others say. This approach is really unacceptable.
Why does a Bodhisattva obtain such magical powers? In a nutshell, it is a skillful method to teach and transform sentient beings, so that they can have bodhicitta and not join the common people. If you follow what others say, you are a confused Buddhist. Not only do they not study the truth, but they pursue evil Dharma, want to believe in evil Dharma, and slander the true Dharma. Such Buddhists are really pitiful.
Now is the Dharma Ending Age. Many Dharmakaya masters, riding Cihang, come to the Saha world to teach and educate all living beings, reminding them to stay away from wrong knowledge and wrong views (the teachings of the devil) and to get close to the right knowledge and right views (the teachings of the Buddha). The Dharma taught by the Buddha is the right Dharma, and the Dharma taught by the devil is the evil Dharma. Follow the teachings, practice according to the law, strictly observe the precepts, and practice the precepts, which is the righteous Dharma, otherwise it is the evil Dharma. Absolutely do nothing that is not in compliance with the precepts, and do your best to do anything that is in compliance with the precepts. This is the path followed by a Bodhisattva.
The heart of a Bodhisattva is absolutely not selfish, and never seeks fame and fame. He is compassionate, sincere and good at teaching, teaching and transforming all living beings, freeing them from suffering and finding happiness. A Bodhisattva takes the interests of all sentient beings as his starting point, not his own interests. This is the spirit of a Bodhisattva. Bodhisattva has a compassionate heart and is not sentimental. He has the thoughts of great kindness and compassion. Absolutely without discrimination, he regards all sentient beings as beings who can be saved, works hard and does not complain, saves lives day and night, and escapes the sea of suffering. He thinks it is what he should do, so he has obtained supernatural powers and can show his supernatural powers. Why can’t you show your magical powers? This fallacy is simply unreasonable. Critics have an ulterior motive: they want to make the dharma of Buddhism non-existent and outstanding Buddhists non-existent.
Nowadays, there are some unintelligent Buddhists who go around and preach that in the age of the end of the Dharma, magical powers should not be shown and it is impossible to show them. Why such publicity? Because he is ignorant and unwilling to practice hard, and his jealousy is at work. He doesn’t have magical powers himself, so he thinks that others don’t have magical powers either. Not only does he not have supernatural powers, he cannot even see people who have supernatural powers. Why? Because a person with supernatural powers knows that he has wrong knowledge and wrong views, he will not recognize a person with supernatural powers when he sees them. It is said that “if you miss someone in person, you will miss him by chance.” When a Bodhisattva meets a Buddhist who has the right knowledge and right views, he is willing to show his magical power when necessary, so that he can increase his confidence, work hard to cultivate, and gain liberation.
Dear wise friends, no matter who has supernatural powers, I welcome you to show your supernatural powers. If you are guilty, I will bear the responsibility alone, and you will fall into hell. I am willing to suffer the sin, and it has nothing to do with you, so don’t be afraid. I’m afraid you don’t have magical powers and can’t show them. If you have supernatural powers, try your best to show them. I will definitely support you and help you.
In the Age of Dharma Ending, we need people who sincerely practice Taoism, people who are enlightened, and people who have achieved fruition. After attaining the fruition, I will go back and lead my destined friends to leave the Three Realms and go to the Pure Land of Eternal Silence and Light. This is my expectation for you.
