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.