English
9. Analysis of the Bases of Spiritual Power 1. Discourse Division 431. Four bases of spiritual power: Here, a monk develops the base of spiritual power endowed with concentration due to desire and volitional formations of exertion. He develops the base of spiritual power endowed with concentration due to energy and volitional formations of exertion. He develops the base of spiritual power endowed with concentration due to mind and volitional formations of exertion. He develops the base of spiritual power endowed with concentration due to investigation and volitional formations of exertion. 1. The Base of Spiritual Power of Desire 432. And how does a monk develop the base of spiritual power endowed with concentration due to desire and volitional formations of exertion? If a monk, making desire the dominant factor, gains concentration, gains one-pointedness of mind – this is called "concentration due to desire." He generates desire, strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and makes an effort for the non-arising of unarisen evil unwholesome states. He generates desire, strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and makes an effort for the abandonment of arisen evil unwholesome states. He generates desire, strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and makes an effort for the arising of unarisen wholesome states. He generates desire, strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and makes an effort for the maintenance, non-confusion, increase, abundance, development, and perfection of arisen wholesome states. These are called "volitional formations of exertion." Thus, this concentration due to desire, and these volitional formations of exertion. Having brought them together, having summarized them, they are reckoned as "concentration due to desire and volitional formations of exertion." 433. Therein, what is desire? That desire, wishing, wishing to do, wholesome desire for Dhamma – this is called "desire." Therein, what is concentration? That stability of mind, steadfastness, immobility, non-distraction, non-scattering, non-agitation of mind, tranquility, faculty of concentration, power of concentration, right concentration – this is called "concentration." Therein, what is exertion... The volitional formation of exertion is: That which is mental effort, endeavor, striving, exertion, effort, enthusiasm, energy, strength, steadfastness, unflagging exertion, unabandoned desire, unabandoned duty, undertaking of duty, energy, faculty of energy, power of energy, right effort. This is called 'the volitional formation of exertion'. Thus, with this desire, with this concentration, and with this volitional formation of exertion, one is endowed, fully endowed, approached, fully approached, established, accomplished, possessed. Therefore, it is called 'possessed of the volitional formation of desire-concentration-exertion'. 434. 'Power' (Iddhi) means: That which is the power, success, accomplishment, full accomplishment, acquisition, attainment, reaching, achievement, touching, realization, and full attainment of those states. 'Basis of power' (Iddhipāda) means: For one who is thus, the aggregate of feeling, the aggregate of perception, the aggregate of volitional formations, the aggregate of consciousness. 'Develops the basis of power' means: He cultivates, develops, and makes much of those states. Therefore, it is called 'develops the basis of power'. 2. The Basis of Power of Energy 435. And how does a bhikkhu develop the basis of power possessed of the volitional formation of energy-concentration-exertion? If a bhikkhu, making energy supreme, gains concentration, gains one-pointedness of mind, – this is called 'energy-concentration'. He generates desire for the non-arising of unarisen evil unwholesome states, he strives, he arouses energy, he exerts his mind, he endeavors; for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome states, he generates desire, he strives, he arouses energy, he exerts his mind, he endeavors; for the arising of unarisen wholesome states, he generates desire, he strives, he arouses energy, he exerts his mind, he endeavors; for the persistence, non-confusion, increase, growth, development, and fulfillment of arisen wholesome states, he generates desire, he strives, he arouses energy, he exerts his mind, he endeavors. These are called 'volitional formations of exertion'. Thus, this energy-concentration, and these volitional formations of exertion; having gathered them together, having combined them, goes by the designation of 'volitional formation of energy-concentration-exertion'. 436. Therein, what is energy? What? Whatever mental exertion of energy, (...) right effort— this is called "energy". Therein, what is concentration? Whatever steadfastness of mind, firmness, unshakeableness, non-distraction, non-scattering, non-wandering of thought, tranquility, faculty of concentration, power of concentration, right concentration— this is called "concentration". Therein, what is the volitional formation of exertion? Whatever mental exertion of energy, (...) right effort— this is called "volitional formation of exertion". Thus, by this energy, by this concentration, and by this volitional formation of exertion one is endowed, (...) possessed. Therefore, it is called "endowed with energy, concentration, and volitional formation of exertion". 437. Power (Iddhi): Whatever power of those states, success, accomplishment, full accomplishment, acquisition, attainment, gaining, complete gaining, touching, realization, full attainment. Base of Power (Iddhipāda): For one who is thus, the aggregate of feeling, (...) the aggregate of consciousness. "Develops the base of power": He practices those states, develops them, makes them abundant. Therefore, it is called "develops the base of power". 3. The Base of Power of Consciousness 438. And how, monk, does one develop the base of power endowed with concentration of consciousness and volitional formations of exertion? If, monk, making consciousness the chief, one gains concentration, one gains one-pointedness of mind— this is called "concentration of consciousness". He, for the non-arising of unarisen evil unwholesome states, generates desire, makes effort, arouses energy, exerts the mind, strives. For the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome states, (...) for the arising of unarisen wholesome states, (...) for the maintenance of arisen wholesome states, for their non-confusion, for their increase, for their abundance, for their development, for their perfection, he generates desire, makes effort, arouses energy, exerts the mind, strives. These are called "volitional formations of exertion". Thus, this concentration of consciousness, and these volitional formations of exertion; having gathered them into one, having summarized them, it goes by the designation "concentration of consciousness and volitional formations of exertion". 4 Therein, what is mind? That which is mind, thought, mentality... (and so on) ...the element of mind-consciousness related thereto – this is called 'mind'. Therein, what is concentration? That which is the standing, the firm standing of the mind... (and so on) ...right concentration – this is called 'concentration'. Therein, what is the volitional formation of exertion? That which is the mental inception of energy... (and so on) ...right effort – this is called 'the volitional formation of exertion'. Thus, with this mind, with this concentration, and with this volitional formation of exertion, he is endowed... (and so on) ...possessed. Therefore, he is called 'possessed of mind, concentration, and the volitional formation of exertion'. 440. Power (Iddhi) means: That which is the power, success, accomplishment, full accomplishment, acquisition, obtainment, attainment, full attainment, touching, realization, and achievement of those states. Base of power (Iddhipāda) means: For one who is such, the aggregate of feeling... (and so on) ...the aggregate of consciousness. Develops a base of power means: He cultivates, develops, and makes much of those states. Therefore, it is called 'develops a base of power'. 4. The Base of Power of Investigation 441. And how, monk, does one develop a base of power possessed of investigation, concentration, and the volitional formation of exertion? If, monk, making investigation the dominant factor, one obtains concentration, obtains one-pointedness of mind – this is called 'investigation-concentration'. He generates desire for the non-arising of unarisen evil unwholesome states, he strives, he arouses energy, he exerts his mind, he makes effort; for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome states... (and so on) ...for the arising of unarisen wholesome states... (and so on) ...for the maintenance, non-confusion, increase, abundance, development, and perfection of arisen wholesome states, he generates desire, he strives, he arouses energy, he exerts his mind, he makes effort. These are called 'volitional formations of exertion'. Thus, this investigation-concentration, and these volitional formations of exertion; having gathered them together, having condensed them, goes by the designation of 'investigation-concentration-volitional-formation-of-exertion'. 442. Therein, what is investigation? That which is wisdom, understanding... ...non-delusion, investigation of phenomena, right view – this is called "investigation." What is concentration there? That stability, steadfastness of mind... right concentration – this is called "concentration." What is the volitional formation of exertion there? That mental exertion of energy... right effort – this is called "volitional formation of exertion." Thus, endowed with this investigation, and with this concentration, and with this volitional formation of exertion... possessed of. Therefore, it is called "possessed of investigation, concentration, and volitional formation of exertion." 443. Power. That power, success, accomplishment, attainment,