The Perfectly Enlightened One Prohibits Monks from Exhibiting a Wonder of Mystic Power

(The Venerable Pindola the Bhāradvāja, shown his mystic power, having risen above the ground, having taken hold of that the bowl of the (great) merchant of Rājagaha was brought down by him, circled three times around Rājagaha.)

Then The Perfectly Enlightened One on this occasion, in this connection, having had The Community of Monks gather, questioned the Venerable Pindola the Bhãradvāja, saying:

Is it true, as is said, Bhāradvāja, that the bowl of the (great) merchant of Rājagaha was fetched down by you?

‘It is true, Venerable Sir.’

It is not suiting, Bhāradvāja, it is not becoming, it is not fitting, it is not worthy of an Ascetic, it is not allowable, it is not to be done. How can you, Bhãradvāja, on account of a cheap wooden bowl exhibit a condition of further-men, a wonder of mystic power to Householders? As, Bhāradvāja, a woman exhibits her loin-cloth on account of a cheaply stamped māsaka (a small bean, used as a standard of weight and value; hence a small coin of very low value), even so by you, Bhãradvāja, was a condition of further-men, a wonder of mystic power exhibited to Householders on account of a cheap wooden bowl. It is not, Bhāradvāja, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased nor for increasing the number of those who are pleased, but, Bhāradvāja, it is displeasing to those who are not pleased as well as to those who are pleased, and it causes wavering in some.

Having guided him, having given reasoned talk, he addressed the Monks, saying:

Monks, a condition of further-men, a wonder of mystic power is not to be exhibited to Householders.

Whoever should exhibit them, there is an offense of wrong-doing.

Break, Monks, this wooden bowl; having reduced it to fragments, give them to Monks as perfume to mix with ointment. And, Monks, a wooden bowl should not be used. Whoever should use one, there is an offense of wrong-doing.

(Reference: Cv 5.8)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that the Ordained Practitioners should not show or exhibit “mystic power” to Household Practitioners.

As the mind awakens to Enlightenment, some beings will experience various abilities such as those described by The Buddha in this Chapter and other Chapters.

Mystic power and mind-reading are just a few special abilities that can be experienced by a being whose mind is purified and awakened.

As these special abilities are experienced by a Practitioner, either Ordained or a Householder, they should not be used to amaze people or for financial gain. These special abilities should only be used for purposes that help others attain Enlightenment.

Displaying one’s special abilities would be to do so out of arrogance or pride. There is no need to tell others or display for others any special abilities that are experienced as a result of awakening the mind to Enlightenment. To continue further progress on The Path to Enlightenment, a Practitioner will need to not cling to these special abilities or have the craving/desire to display them for others. Even discussing one’s special abilities is not needed.

If one has developed special abilities, remain humble using them only in situations that would provide benefit, not to project arrogance or pride. If there is arrogance and pride, the mind will not experience Enlightenment.