Principles on the Use of Supernatural Powers

Question: When using supernormal powers, does one directly implant all their motives and traces in the other person's home? Must one bear karmic consequences? How should supernormal powers be viewed? How can one avoid the shortcomings of supernormal powers and skillfully practice the Bodhisattva Path?

Answer: The so-called supernormal powers of modern people are mostly karmic supernormal powers (bāotōng), which are the karmic fruits obtained through cultivating blessings and virtues in past lives. When the karmic reward is exhausted, the supernormal powers disappear. True supernormal powers arise after attaining the four dhyanas (cattāri jhānāni). As long as the meditative absorption (dhyāna) does not fade, the supernormal powers remain constant. Supernormal powers arising from the four dhyanas are possessed by Bodhisattvas, Arhats (arhat), and Pratyekabuddhas (pratyekabuddha), as well as by non-Buddhist practitioners (tīrthika). Because Bodhisattvas understand karma (hetuphala), they do not misuse supernormal powers; their conduct is measured. Arhats and Pratyekabuddhas, due to their pure minds (citta), lack interest in worldly people and affairs, uphold precepts (śīla), and have some understanding of karma, so they also do not misuse supernormal powers. Non-Buddhist practitioners who attain the four dhyanas also have pure minds and lack interest in worldly affairs, so they similarly do not misuse supernormal powers. However, because their defilements (kleśa) are not yet fully eradicated nor completely subdued, they may occasionally, driven by some personal gain, use supernormal powers, interfere with karma, and create some unwholesome karma (akuśala-karma). Therefore, those whose supernormal powers arise from meditative absorption do not easily use them to commit actions contrary to the Dharma (dharma) that harm the interests of sentient beings (sattva).

People with karmic supernormal powers (bāotōng), however, are ordinary individuals whose defilements are not subdued, whose wisdom (prajñā) is insufficient, and whose cultivation is generally not high. It is quite common for them to use supernormal powers to interfere with karma and infringe upon others; I have seen some cases. My advice regarding the use of supernormal powers is this: Before a person has sufficiently subdued their defilements and has not fully understood and recognized the cause-and-effect relationships and consequences of karma, it is best not to use any supernormal powers at all, due to the inability to grasp the appropriate measure and boundaries, lest one incur karmic consequences and suffer the retribution (vipāka) of unwholesome karma. If a person with great resolve (mahācitta) wishes to use supernormal powers to benefit sentient beings, they should use them cautiously under the guidance of a virtuous friend (kalyāṇamitra) who clearly understands karma. For example, using supernormal powers to pry into others' thoughts and past experiences can easily lead to violating the precept against stealing (adattādāna). If it is done without the other person's permission, obtaining such information constitutes stealing (steya) and is an illegal gain. The scope covered by the precept against stealing is extremely broad and detailed. Ordinary people's minds are not meticulous enough, their considerations are not thorough, and they violate precepts without even realizing it.

Someone might say: Since the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas possess supernormal powers and know everything about sentient beings throughout beginningless kalpas (asamkhyeya-kalpa), past and present, and even know things that have not yet happened in future lifetimes, doesn't this constitute violating the precept against stealing? This certainly does not constitute a violation. Firstly, because the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas know these things without any deliberate intent (cetanā); their knowing is spontaneous and natural, devoid of any thieving mind (citta). Secondly, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are one with sentient beings; there is no conflict of interest whatsoever. Everything they do is for the sake of sentient beings, including Dharma protectors (dharmapāla) protecting the Dharma, which is also for the protection of sentient beings, without any personal, selfish purpose. Therefore, matters like stealing are not involved. Arhats and Pratyekabuddhas also know matters concerning sentient beings spontaneously and naturally, without any prying mind; their minds are pure, and there is no conflict of interest with sentient beings. Their actions also do not involve matters like stealing. Non-Buddhist practitioners also have pure minds and are generally disinterested in others' affairs under normal circumstances. Special situations exist, but those who have some understanding of karma and possess virtue will avoid matters others find objectionable, will be selective about what they reveal from their supernormal knowledge, and will maintain silence.

In summary, people who currently possess karmic supernormal powers (bāotōng), lacking the meditative absorption (dhyāna) necessary to sufficiently subdue defilements and insufficient wisdom (prajñā), find it difficult to grasp the appropriate measure. They should, therefore, try to avoid using supernormal powers. The exception is for protecting one's own family members; wanting to know about matters concerning one's own family and close relatives might be barely acceptable.