42: The Attributes of the Three Treasures – 1719
5. He can accomplish anything that he wishes
(
pākamma
). In the eight
assemblies he resolved to appear as one of their kind, i.e., among Devas
in the Deva realm he appears as a Deva, and so on. In teaching the
doctrine to the inhabitants of the other world-elements, he assumes the
form, the voice, etc. of one of the kings of those places.
260
[1126]
6. Dominating the will of others
(
īsitā
). All the Buddha-routine is
accomplished through this power; all beings have to fulfil the wishes of
the Buddha.
7. Mastery of psychic powers and absorptions
(
vasitā
). This is the power
used to tame very powerful and arrogant individuals such as the
Uruvelā Nāga, overpowering their powers in every respect, such as
emitting fire, vapour, etc.
8. He has complete control over the absorptions and in displaying miracles
and is able to terminate them as he wills
(
yatthakāmāvasāyitā
). It is this
power which accomplishes the twin miracle of fire and water emerging
out of the various parts of his body, with fire glowing from the upper
part of the body while water flows from the lower part of the body, and
then suddenly even when the audience is watching in awe, making fire
glowing from the lower part of the body while water flows from the
upper part of the body, etc.
The above eight powers of the will in mundane consciousness are included in the
knowledge by which supernormal powers are accomplished (
iddhi-vidha-
abhiññā
). The Buddha stands unrivalled in this knowledge.
These eight mundane powers and the mastery in mundane willpower and
supermundane willpower mentioned above together are called the first of the six
exalted qualities, i.e., supremacy (
issariya
).
O Fortunate One! Your Arahat fruition (
Arahatta-phala
) consciousness is
marked by the mastery of supermundane will-power, as well as the eight
forms of mastery of mundane will-power, such as in turning yourself into
an infinitesimal form. O Fortunate One! May this be my humble
adoration to you!
260
See DN 16.