3.
The Chapter on the Iron Ball
1.
The Discourse on the Path
833. At Sāvatthī. "Before the enlightenment, monks, while still unenlightened, being just a Bodhisatta, this occurred to me - 'What indeed is the path, what is the practice for the development of the bases for spiritual power?' This occurred to me, monks - 'Here a monk develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving - thus my desire will not be too slack, nor too tense, nor contracted internally, nor distracted externally. And he dwells perceiving after and before - as before so after, as after so before; as below so above, as above so below; as by day so by night, as by night so by day. Thus with an open mind, unobstructed, he develops a mind of luminosity. Concentration due to energy, etc. concentration due to mind, etc. he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving - thus my investigation will not be too slack, nor too tense, nor contracted internally, nor distracted externally. And he dwells perceiving after and before - as before so after, as after so before; as below so above, as above so below; as by day so by night, as by night so by day' - thus with an open mind, unobstructed, he develops a mind of luminosity.
"When the four bases for spiritual power have been thus developed, monks, when they have been thus cultivated, a monk experiences the various kinds of supernormal power - having been one, he becomes many; having been many, he becomes one; etc. He exercises mastery with his body even as far as the Brahma world. When the four bases for spiritual power have been thus developed, monks, when they have been thus cultivated, with the elimination of the mental corruptions, in this very life, having realised by direct knowledge himself, having attained, a monk dwells in the liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom that are without mental corruptions." The first.
2.
The Discourse on the Iron Ball
834. At Sāvatthī. Then the Venerable Ānanda approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the Venerable Ānanda said this to the Blessed One - "Does the Blessed One directly know, venerable sir, having approached the Brahma world by supernormal power with a mind-made body?" "I do directly know, Ānanda, having approached the Brahma world by supernormal power with a mind-made body." "But does the Blessed One directly know, venerable sir, having approached the Brahma world by supernormal power with this body made of the four primary elements?" "I do directly know, Ānanda, having approached the Brahma world by supernormal power with this body made of the four primary elements."
"That the Blessed One is able, venerable sir, to approach the Brahma world by supernormal power with a mind-made body, and that the Blessed One directly knows, venerable sir, having approached the Brahma world by supernormal power with this body made of the four primary elements - this, venerable sir, is wonderful and marvellous for the Blessed One." "Wonderful indeed, Ānanda, are the Truth-finders and endowed with wonderful qualities; marvellous indeed, Ānanda, are the Truth-finders and endowed with marvellous qualities.
"At the time, Ānanda, when the Truth-finder puts together the body in the mind and the mind in the body, and having entered upon the perception of happiness and the perception of lightness in the body, dwells; at that time, Ānanda, the Truth-finder's body becomes lighter and softer and more workable and more luminous.
"Just as, Ānanda, an iron ball heated all day becomes lighter and softer and more workable and more luminous; just so, Ānanda, at the time when the Truth-finder puts together the body in the mind and the mind in the body, and having entered upon the perception of happiness and the perception of lightness in the body, dwells; at that time, Ānanda, the Truth-finder's body becomes lighter and softer and more workable and more luminous.
"At the time, Ānanda, when the Truth-finder puts together the body in the mind and the mind in the body, and having entered upon the perception of happiness and the perception of lightness in the body, dwells; at that time, Ānanda, the Truth-finder's body with little difficulty rises up from the earth into the sky, and he experiences the various kinds of supernormal power - having been one, he becomes many; having been many, he becomes one; etc. He exercises mastery with his body even as far as the Brahma world.
"Just as, Ānanda, cotton-wool or kapok, being light and carried by the wind, with little difficulty rises up from the earth into the sky; just so, Ānanda, at the time when the Truth-finder puts together the body in the mind and the mind in the body, and having entered upon the perception of happiness and the perception of lightness in the body, dwells; at that time, Ānanda, the Truth-finder's body with little difficulty rises up from the earth into the sky, and he experiences the various kinds of supernormal power - having been one, he becomes many, etc. He exercises mastery with his body even as far as the Brahma world." The second.
3.
The Discourse on the Monk
835. "Monks, there are these four bases for spiritual power. Which four? Here, monks, a monk develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving, concentration due to energy, etc. concentration due to mind, etc. he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving - these, monks, are the four bases for spiritual power. Because of having developed and cultivated these four bases for spiritual power, monks, a monk, with the elimination of the mental corruptions, in this very life, having realised by direct knowledge himself, having attained, dwells in the liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom that are without mental corruptions." The third.
4.
The Discourse on Suddhika
836. "Monks, there are these four bases for spiritual power. Which four? Here, monks, a monk develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving, concentration due to energy, etc. concentration due to mind, etc. he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving - these, monks, are the four bases for spiritual power." The fourth.
5.
The First Discourse on Fruit
837. "Monks, there are these four bases for spiritual power. Which four? Here, monks, a monk develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving, concentration due to energy, etc. concentration due to mind, etc. he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving - these, monks, are the four bases for spiritual power. Because of having developed and cultivated these four bases for spiritual power, monks, one of two fruits is to be expected by a monk - final liberating knowledge in this very life; or, if there is a residue of clinging, non-returning." The fifth.
6.
The Second Discourse on Fruit
838. "Monks, there are these four bases for spiritual power. Which four? Here, monks, a monk develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving, concentration due to energy, etc. concentration due to mind, etc. he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving - these, monks, are the four bases for spiritual power. Because of having developed and cultivated these four bases for spiritual power, monks, seven fruits and seven benefits are to be expected.
"What are the seven fruits and seven benefits? He attains final liberating knowledge early in this very life. If he does not attain final liberating knowledge early in this very life, then he attains final liberating knowledge at the time of death. If he does not attain final liberating knowledge early in this very life, if he does not attain final liberating knowledge at the time of death, then with the utter elimination of the five lower mental fetters he becomes an attainer of final nibbāna in the interval, an attainer of final nibbāna after the interval, an attainer of final nibbāna without exertion, an attainer of final nibbāna through exertion, an upstream-goer heading toward the Akaniṭṭha realm. Because of having developed and cultivated these four bases for spiritual power, monks, these seven fruits and seven benefits are to be expected." The sixth.
7.
The First Discourse on Ānanda
839. At Sāvatthī. Then the Venerable Ānanda approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the Venerable Ānanda said this to the Blessed One -
"What indeed, venerable sir, is supernormal power, what is the basis for spiritual power, what is the development of the basis for spiritual power, what is the practice leading to the development of the basis for spiritual power?" "Here, Ānanda, a monk experiences the various kinds of supernormal power - having been one, he becomes many; having been many, he becomes one; etc. he exercises mastery with his body even as far as the Brahma world - this, Ānanda, is called supernormal power."
"And what, Ānanda, is the basis for spiritual power? Whatever path, Ānanda, whatever practice leads to the gaining of supernormal power, to the attainment of supernormal power - this, Ānanda, is called the basis for spiritual power.
"And what, Ānanda, is the development of the basis for spiritual power? Here, Ānanda, a monk develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving, concentration due to energy, etc. concentration due to mind, etc. he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving - this, Ānanda, is called the development of the basis for spiritual power.
"And what, Ānanda, is the practice leading to the development of the basis for spiritual power? It is just this noble eightfold path, as follows - right view, etc. right concentration - this, Ānanda, is called the practice leading to the development of the basis for spiritual power." The seventh.
8.
The Second Discourse on Ānanda
840. To the Venerable Ānanda seated to one side, the Blessed One said this - "What indeed, Ānanda, is supernormal power, what is the basis for spiritual power, what is the development of the basis for spiritual power, what is the practice leading to the development of the basis for spiritual power?" "The teachings have the Blessed One as their root, venerable sir, have the Blessed One as their guide, etc.
"Here, Ānanda, a monk experiences the various kinds of supernormal power - having been one, he becomes many, etc. he exercises mastery with his body even as far as the Brahma world - this, Ānanda, is called supernormal power.
"And what, Ānanda, is the basis for spiritual power? Whatever path, Ānanda, whatever practice leads to the gaining of supernormal power, to the attainment of supernormal power - this, Ānanda, is called the basis for spiritual power.
"And what, Ānanda, is the development of the basis for spiritual power? Here, Ānanda, a monk develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving, concentration due to energy, etc. concentration due to mind, etc. he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving - this, Ānanda, is called the development of the basis for spiritual power.
"And what, Ānanda, is the practice leading to the development of the basis for spiritual power? It is just this noble eightfold path, as follows - right view, etc. right concentration - this, Ānanda, is called the practice leading to the development of the basis for spiritual power." The eighth.
9.
The First Discourse on the Monk
841. Then several monks approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those monks said this to the Blessed One - "What indeed, venerable sir, is supernormal power, what is the basis for spiritual power, what is the development of the basis for spiritual power, what is the practice leading to the development of the basis for spiritual power?"
"Here, monks, a monk experiences the various kinds of supernormal power - having been one, he becomes many, etc. he exercises mastery with his body even as far as the Brahma world - this is called, monks, supernormal power.
"And what, monks, is the basis for spiritual power? Whatever path, monks, whatever practice leads to the gaining of supernormal power, to the attainment of supernormal power - this is called, monks, the basis for spiritual power.
"And what, monks, is the development of the basis for spiritual power? Here, monks, a monk develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving, concentration due to energy, etc. concentration due to mind, etc. he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving - this is called, monks, the development of the basis for spiritual power.
"And what, monks, is the practice leading to the development of the basis for spiritual power? It is just this noble eightfold path, as follows - right view, etc. right concentration - this is called, monks, the practice leading to the development of the basis for spiritual power." The ninth.
10.
The Second Discourse on the Monk
842. Then several monks approached the Blessed One, etc. To those monks seated to one side, the Blessed One said this - "What indeed, monks, is supernormal power, what is the basis for spiritual power, what is the development of the basis for spiritual power, what is the practice leading to the development of the basis for spiritual power?" "The teachings have the Blessed One as their root, venerable sir, have the Blessed One as their guide, etc.
"And what, monks, is supernormal power? Here, monks, a monk experiences the various kinds of supernormal power - having been one, he becomes many, etc. he exercises mastery with his body even as far as the Brahma world - this is called, monks, supernormal power.
"And what, monks, is the basis for spiritual power? Whatever path, monks, whatever practice leads to the gaining of supernormal power, to the attainment of supernormal power - this is called, monks, the basis for spiritual power.
"And what, monks, is the development of the basis for spiritual power? Here, monks, a monk develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving, concentration due to energy, etc. concentration due to mind, etc. he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving - this is called, monks, the development of the basis for spiritual power.
"And what, monks, is the practice leading to the development of the basis for spiritual power? It is just this noble eightfold path, as follows - right view, etc. right concentration. This is called, monks, the practice leading to the development of the basis for spiritual power." The tenth.
11.
The Discourse on Moggallāna
843. There the Blessed One addressed the monks - "What do you think, monks, because of having developed and cultivated which qualities is the monk Moggallāna of such great supernormal power, of such great majesty?" "The teachings have the Blessed One as their root, venerable sir, have the Blessed One as their guide, etc. "Because of having developed and cultivated the four bases for spiritual power, monks, the monk Moggallāna is of such great supernormal power, of such great majesty."
"Which four? Here, monks, the monk Moggallāna develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving - 'thus my desire will not be too slack, nor too tense, nor contracted internally, nor distracted externally.' And he dwells perceiving after and before - 'as before so after, as after so before; as below so above, as above so below; as by day so by night, as by night so by day.' Thus with an open mind, unobstructed, he develops a mind of luminosity. Concentration due to energy, etc. concentration due to mind, etc. he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving - 'thus my investigation will not be too slack, nor too tense, nor contracted internally, nor distracted externally,' etc. thus with an open mind, unobstructed, he develops a mind of luminosity. Because of having developed and cultivated these four bases for spiritual power, monks, the monk Moggallāna is of such great supernormal power, of such great majesty.
"And because of having developed and cultivated these four bases for spiritual power, monks, the monk Moggallāna experiences the various kinds of supernormal power - having been one, he becomes many; having been many, he becomes one; etc. He exercises mastery with his body even as far as the Brahma world. And because of having developed and cultivated these four bases for spiritual power, monks, the monk Moggallāna, with the elimination of the mental corruptions, in this very life, having realised by direct knowledge himself, having attained, dwells in the liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom that are without mental corruptions." The eleventh.
12.
The Discourse on the Truth-finder
844. There the Blessed One addressed the monks - "What do you think, monks, because of having developed and cultivated which qualities is the Truth-finder of such great supernormal power, of such great majesty?" "The teachings have the Blessed One as their root, venerable sir, etc. "Because of having developed and cultivated the four bases for spiritual power, monks, the Truth-finder is of such great supernormal power, of such great majesty."
"Which four? Here, monks, the Truth-finder develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving - 'thus my desire will not be too slack, nor too tense, nor contracted internally, nor distracted externally.' And he dwells perceiving after and before - 'as before so after, as after so before; as below so above, as above so below; as by day so by night, as by night so by day.' Thus with an open mind, unobstructed, he develops a mind of luminosity. Concentration due to energy, etc. concentration due to mind, etc. he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving - 'thus my investigation will not be too slack, nor too tense, nor contracted internally, nor distracted externally.' And he dwells perceiving after and before - 'as before so after, as after so before; as below so above, as above so below; as by day so by night, as by night so by day.' Thus with an open mind, unobstructed, he develops a mind of luminosity. Because of having developed and cultivated these four bases for spiritual power, monks, the Truth-finder is of such great supernormal power, of such great majesty.
"And because of having developed and cultivated these four bases for spiritual power, monks, the Truth-finder experiences the various kinds of supernormal power - having been one, he becomes many, etc. He exercises mastery with his body even as far as the Brahma world. And because of having developed and cultivated these four bases for spiritual power, monks, the Truth-finder, with the elimination of the mental corruptions, in this very life, having realised by direct knowledge himself, having attained, dwells in the liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom that are without mental corruptions." The twelfth.
The Iron Ball Chapter is the third.
Its summary:
Two on Ānanda and two on monks, Moggallāna, and the Truth-finder.