1. Iddhi‑vidhā (ඉද්ධි විධා) — Psychic powers
Abilities: Multiplying one’s form, walking on water, flying, passing through solid objects.
Symbolism: Mastery over material conditions, showing the mind’s power when freed from delusion.
Reflection: Not the goal of practice, but a sign of deep concentration (samādhi).
2. Dibba‑sota (දිව්ය සොත) — Divine ear
Abilities: Hearing sounds across vast distances, even in other realms.
Symbolism: Sensitivity and awareness beyond ordinary limits.
Reflection: Reminds practitioners to listen deeply, cultivating empathy.
3. Cetopariya‑ñāṇa (චේතෝපරිය ඤාණ) — Knowledge of others’ minds
Abilities: Reading thoughts and mental states.
Symbolism: Profound empathy and insight into human psychology.
Reflection: Encourages compassion and understanding, not manipulation.
4. Pubbenivāsānussati‑ñāṇa (පුබ්බෙනිවාසනුස්සති ඤාණ) — Recollection of past lives
Abilities: Recalling countless past existences of oneself and others.
Symbolism: Vastness of saṃsāra, impermanence of all conditions.
Reflection: Inspires urgency to practice, seeing the endless cycle of rebirth.
5. Dibba‑cakkhu (දිව්ය චක්ඛු) — Divine eye
Abilities: Clairvoyance, seeing beings across realms and their karmic destinies.
Symbolism: Wisdom that perceives beyond ordinary sight.
Reflection: Teaches cause and effect, karmic law, and compassion for all beings.
6. Āsavakkhaya‑ñāṇa (ආසවක්ඛය ඤාණ) — Knowledge of the destruction of taints
Abilities: Complete liberation from greed, hatred, and delusion.
Symbolism: The crown jewel of powers, true enlightenment.
Reflection: The highest goal; all other powers are secondary.
Sources and Further Reading (මූලාශ්ර සහ වැඩිදුර කියවීම)
- Kevatta Sutta (DN 11) — Access to Insight
- Mahāsakuludāyi Sutta (MN 77) — Access to Insight
- Abhiññā — Encyclopedia of Buddhism