Chapter 24
the left leg, there were streams of water flowing from the right leg.
(10) When there were flames of fire appearing from each of the ten fingers and the ten
toes, there were streams of water flowing from the spaces between each of the ten
fingers and the ten toes; and, when there were flames of fire appearing from the
spaces between each of the ten fingers and the ten toes, there were streams of water
flowing from each of the ten fingers and the ten toes.
(11) When there were flames of fire appearing from some individual hairs of the body,
there were streams of water flowing from the other individual hairs.
(12) When there were flames of fire appearing from some individual pores of the body,
there were streams of water flowing from the other individual pores.
From these different parts of the body there was emanation of six different colours of
light, namely, dark blue, gold, red, white, crimson, resplendent, in pairs, in streams or in
groups.
(N.B. The Buddha developed
tejo-kasiÓa-jhÈna
based on fire (
tejo
) meditation
device for the appearance of flames of fire from the upper part of the body and
developed
Èpo-kasiÓa-jhÈna
based on water (
Èpo
) meditation device for the flow of
streams of water from the lower part of the body. The same principle was applied
in reversing the order of performance of the Twin Miracle.)
It should be borne in mind that the flames of fire did not get mixed with the
streams of water and vice versa. They remained in their own orbit. Since there can
be no two simultaneous thought moments in one instant of time, creation of flames
of fire and creation of streams of water took two separate moments, taking turns in
alternation, although they would appear to synchronize and be taking place
simultaneously in the minds of ordinary average persons. The mental creation
happened in very great speed although separately. This may be attributed to (a) the
moment between each state of mind of the Buddha being extremely short, (b) speed
of mind, (c) having reached the climax of mastery in the attainment of
jhÈna
s. The
flames of fire and streams of water emitted from the Buddha's body went up to the
summit of the universe and descended on the edge of the ten thousand world-
systems.
Loka Vivarana PatihÈriya (The Miracle of Unveiling of The Universe)
Following the demonstration of the Twin Miracle, the Buddha performed the miracle of
unveiling of the Universe. This is how it was performed. He entered the
r|pÈ-vacara kiriya
fourth
jhÈna
based on white object meditation device (
odata-kasiÓa
); arising therefrom, He
made the resolution: ‚Let there be illumination throughout the ten thousand universes.‛
Instantaneously, the whole universe, right from the human world up to the AkkaniÔha
BrahmÈ realm became illuminated.
All the human beings could have full view of the universes from CatumahÈrajika Deva
region to AkkaniÔha
BrahmÈ realm even as they stayed in their own residences. They could
see all the celestial beings therein going about their daily life in their many special and
various planes with all the lakes, gardens, thrones, couches, tiered-roof mansions, carriages,
regalia, in happy joyous mood, disporting themselves fully enjoying a luxurious life in their
jewelled brilliant flying mansions of their own creation, themselves and everything
radiantly bright.
In the sixteen
r|pa-vacara
planes, some radiant BrahmÈs, still and serene as statues made
of assorted jewels, were seen enjoying the tranquillity of
samÈpatti
, while others were seen
engaged in discussing the profound and delicate essence of the Dhamma. They were clearly
seen with human eyes by virtue of the Glories of the Exalted One.
In the same way, down and deep in the earth, there are eight great infernal planes, and
each plane has four sides or minor regions of punishment, sixteen in all, known as
Ussada
niraya
. In between every three universes is a minor region of punishment known as
Lokanta
niraya
. These are regions of utter darkness. In each plane of misery, there are