Iddhi
Encyclopedia
Iddhi is a Buddhist term which refers to supernormal powers. These powers are physical, as opposed to mental (knowing the minds of others
, etc...). These iddhis are mentioned throughout the pali canon
ical scripture.
The Buddhist Pali canons describe the following as iddhi powers:
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
, etc...). These iddhis are mentioned throughout the pali canon
Pāli Canon
The Pāli Canon is the standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, as preserved in the Pāli language. It is the only completely surviving early Buddhist canon, and one of the first to be written down...
ical scripture.
The Buddhist Pali canons describe the following as iddhi powers:
- Multiplying the body into many bodies, then collapsing it into one again.
- Vanishing and appearing at will (invisibility).
- Passing through solid objects as if through space (intangibility).
- Rising and sinking in the ground as if in the water.
- Walking on water as if on land.
- Flying.
- Touching anything at any distance (e.g. the moon or sun).
- Traveling to other worlds (like the world of BrahmaBrahma (Buddhism)' in Buddhism is the name for a type of exalted passionless deity , of which there are several in Buddhist cosmology.-Origins:The name originates in Vedic tradition, in which Brahmā appears as the creator of the universe...
) with or without the body.