SN 51.30

Dutiyabhikkhusutta

Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinne kho te bhikkhū bhagavā etadavoca: “katamā nu kho, bhikkhave, iddhi, katamo iddhipādo, katamā iddhipādabhāvanā, katamā iddhipādabhāvanāgāminī paṭipadā”ti? “Bhagavaṁmūlakā no, bhante, dhammā bhagavaṁnettikā …pe….

Several Mendicants (2nd)

Then several mendicants went up to the Buddha … The Buddha said to them: “Mendicants, what is psychic power? What is the basis of psychic power? What is the development of the bases of psychic power? And what is the practice that leads to the development of the bases of psychic power?” “Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. He is our guide and our refuge. …”

“Katamā ca, bhikkhave, iddhi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti …pe… yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, iddhi.

“And what is psychic power? It’s a mendicant who wields the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again … controlling the body as far as the realm of divinity. This is called psychic power.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, iddhipādo? Yo, bhikkhave, maggo, yā paṭipadā iddhilābhāya iddhipaṭilābhāya saṁvattati— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, iddhipādo.

And what is the basis of psychic power? The path and practice that leads to gaining psychic power. This is called the basis of psychic power.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, iddhipādabhāvanā? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, vīriyasamādhi …pe… cittasamādhi … vīmaṁsāsamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, iddhipādabhāvanā.

And what is the development of the bases of psychic power? It’s when a mendicant develops the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to enthusiasm … energy … mental development … inquiry, and active effort. This is called the development of the bases of psychic power.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, iddhipādabhāvanāgāminī paṭipadā? Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo, seyyathidaṁ— sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, iddhipādabhāvanāgāminī paṭipadā”ti.

And what is the practice that leads to the development of the bases of psychic power? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the practice that leads to the development of the bases of psychic power.”