Do Buddhists advocate supernatural
powers? Actually, this is not a matter of advocating or not advocating. Rather,
supernatural powers are that which everyone who is accomplished in the dharma
possesses. Such powers are the manifestation of realization achieved through
cultivation. They are phenomena that exist in the course of cultivation but are
not the goal of cultivation, which is liberation from the cycle of birth and
death. They are by-products that arise during ones practice. These by-products
called supernatural phenomena naturally exist in all liberating paths within
the Buddha-dharma. Becoming attached to these by-products and regarding them as
the goal is heretical supernatural powers. Applying these by-products in a free
and unattached way and regarding them as illusory is treating supernatural
powers based on the correct Buddha-dharma view.
Sakyamuni Buddha manifested
supernatural powers and also was against supernatural powers. Each of those two
tacks reflects different underlying karmic conditions. To those with higher
vehicle (Mahayana) faculties, the Buddha spoke of supernatural powers as
enjoyment resulting from incredible realization and the free and unattached
application of samadhi. Examples of this are in the Lotus Sutra, the
Samyuktagama Sutra, and other sutras. To those practitioners with low
faculties, the Buddha spoke of not being attached to supernatural powers in
order to reach the goal of realizing emptiness. An example of this is in the
Shurangama Sutra.
Anyone with low faculties who wants
to become a Buddha must go through the stage of cultivation corresponding to
those with high faculties. In ones course of cultivation, this is analogous to
going from one city to another city. If one does not travel along the pathway
between the two cities, one will not reach that other city. When one is walking
toward that other city, one will certainly see and encounter all of the
phenomena that are on the way. This is like the supernatural phenomena that
arise in the course of ones cultivation when wisdom is being opened. If one
does not experience such phenomena that arise during the cultivation process,
then one will not reach the other shore of liberation. Because one has not
traversed the path of the Buddha-dharma leading to liberation, one cannot
encounter phenomena that occur while traversing that path. That is why such a
person has not experienced the stage in the process whereby wisdom is opened
and supernatural powers are realized. Thus, all Buddhist who become
accomplished in the dharma must go through the stage of supernatural powers.
Is it true that the authentic
Buddha-dharma does not speak of supernatural powers?
If that were the case, then why did
the great leader of Buddhism, Sakyamuni Buddha, manifest supernatural powers
everywhere? Why did he even manifest great supernatural powers right before
entering nirvana? What crazed and demonic person would dare say that Sakyamuni
Buddha did not practice the true Buddha-dharma? Just think. If someone with
great accomplishment in the dharma did not have any supernatural realization
powers, what would be the difference between that person and an ordinary person
who had not learned Buddhism?
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko
Yeshe Norbu Holiest Tathagata, is the highest ancient Buddha with complete
proficiency in both exoteric and esoteric Buddhism and perfect mastery of the
Five Vidyas. A portion of His Holinesss realization powers is openly shown in
this book A Treasury of True Buddha-Dharma for all to clearly see. However, the
clear and definite views expressed by His Holiness have enabled us to
understand the principles and direction of cultivation. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha
III said the following:
Not only did the Buddha speak a
great deal about supernatural powers in the sutras, he also manifested
supernatural powers. Such words and facts were directed at those who reached
the higher vehicle (Mahayana) sambhogakaya state or nirmanakaya state. The
Buddha also stated in the sutras that one must not become attached to
supernatural powers. Such teachings were directed at those who were at the
beginning stage of realizing their original nature and dharmakaya in order to
protect them. If practitioners who are at the beginning stage of realizing the
true nature or true-suchness of all phenomena become attached to supernatural
powers, they will fall into that which is conditioned. They will then be
practicing heresy. Thus, you should understand that supernatural powers are a
reflection of the unhindered, unobstructed nature of Buddhas and great
Bodhisattvas. Such powers are not that which beginning stage practitioners can
possess and enjoy.
As for me, I went through the stage
of supernatural powers in my early years. I deeply understand that they are the
free and unattached application of samadhi but are not the ultimate attainment.
I occasionally see the supernatural powers of others, which are manifestations
of their karmic conditions of good fortune. I myself do not have such
abilities!
I do not advocate practicing
supernatural powers. What I want is cultivation. Only through cultivation can
one attain the goal. I myself am very ordinary. I do not have supernatural
powers. I only have cultivation. The discourse entitled What Is Cultivation? that
I gave for all good Buddhists with the karmic affinity to hear or read it is
the palace of the Buddha-dharma, the root of liberation, and the source of
great dharma in the dharma realm.
International Buddhism Sangha
Association
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