9.
The First Discourse on the Monk
841.
Then several monks approached the Blessed One;
having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, those monks said this to the Blessed One -
"What indeed, venerable sir, 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?"
"Here, monks, 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 is called, monks, supernormal power.
"And what, monks, is the basis for spiritual power? Whatever path, monks, whatever practice leads to the gaining of supernormal power, to the attainment of supernormal power - this is called, monks, the basis for spiritual power.
"And what, monks, is the development of the basis for spiritual power? Here, monks, 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 is called, monks, the development of the basis for spiritual power.
"And what, monks, 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 is called, monks, the practice leading to the development of the basis for spiritual power." The ninth.