9.

Analysis of Bases for Spiritual Power

1.

The Suttanta Classification

431. The four bases for spiritual power - Here a monk develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving, develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to energy and volitional activities of striving, develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to mind and volitional activities of striving, develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving.

1.

The basis for spiritual power of desire

432. And how does a monk develop the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving? If a monk, having made desire predominant, gains concentration, gains unified focus of mind - this is called "concentration due to desire." He generates desire for the non-arising of unarisen evil unwholesome mental states, he strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and strives; he generates desire for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome mental states, he strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and strives; he generates desire for the arising of unarisen wholesome mental states, he strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and strives; he generates desire for the presence, non-decay, increase, expansion, development, and fulfilment of arisen wholesome mental states, he strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and strives. These are called "volitional activities of striving." Thus this concentration due to desire, and these volitional activities of striving. Having collected that together, having summarised it, it is reckoned as just "concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving."

433. Therein, what is desire? Whatever desire, desirousness, wish to do, wholesome desire for mental states - this is called "desire".

Therein, what is concentration? That which is the stability of consciousness, the steadiness, the position, the non-disturbance, the non-distraction, the state of undisturbed mind, serenity, the concentration faculty, the power of concentration, right concentration - this is called "concentration".

Therein, what is volitional activities of striving? Whatever mental arousal of energy, exertion, effort, striving, endeavour, enthusiasm, enthusiasm, strength, presence, unflagging effort, not abandoning desire, not abandoning the burden, taking up the burden, energy, energy faculty, power of energy, right effort - this is called "volitional activities of striving". Thus one is endowed with this desire, endowed with this concentration, endowed with this volitional activities of striving, fully endowed, approached, fully approached, attained, accomplished, possessed of it. Therefore it is said "possessed of concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving".

434. "Supernormal power" means: Whatever supernormal power, success, thriving, succeeding, gain, attainment, achievement, accomplishment, touching, realisation, and acquisition of those phenomena.

"Basis for spiritual power" means: Of one so constituted, the aggregate of feeling, the aggregate of perception, the aggregate of mental activities, the aggregate of consciousness.

"Develops the basis for spiritual power" means: One practises, develops, and cultivates those phenomena. Therefore it is said "develops the basis for spiritual power".

2.

The basis for spiritual power of energy

435. And how does a monk develop the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to energy and volitional activities of striving? If a monk, having made energy predominant, gains concentration, gains unified focus of mind - this is called "concentration due to energy." He generates desire for the non-arising of unarisen evil unwholesome mental states, he strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and strives; for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome mental states, etc. for the arising of unarisen wholesome mental states, etc. he generates desire for the presence, non-decay, increase, expansion, development, and fulfilment of arisen wholesome mental states, he strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and strives. These are called "volitional activities of striving." Thus this concentration due to energy, and these volitional activities of striving; having collected that together, having summarised it, it is reckoned as just "concentration due to energy and volitional activities of striving."

436. Therein, what is energy? Whatever mental arousal of energy, etc. right effort - this is called "energy".

Therein, what is concentration? That which is the stability of consciousness, the steadiness, the position, the non-disturbance, the non-distraction, the state of undisturbed mind, serenity, the concentration faculty, the power of concentration, right concentration - this is called "concentration".

Therein, what is volitional activities of striving? Whatever mental arousal of energy, etc. right effort - this is called "volitional activities of striving". Thus one is endowed with this energy, endowed with this concentration, endowed with this volitional activities of striving, etc. possessed of it. Therefore it is said "possessed of concentration due to energy and volitional activities of striving".

437. "Supernormal power" means: Whatever supernormal power, success, thriving, succeeding, gain, attainment, achievement, accomplishment, touching, realisation, and acquisition of those phenomena.

"Basis for spiritual power" means: Of one so constituted, the aggregate of feeling, etc. the aggregate of consciousness.

"Develops the basis for spiritual power" means: One practises, develops, and cultivates those phenomena. Therefore it is said "develops the basis for spiritual power".

3.

The basis for spiritual power of developed mind

438. And how does a monk develop the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to mind and volitional activities of striving? If a monk, having made mind predominant, gains concentration, gains unified focus of mind - this is called "concentration due to developed mind." He generates desire for the non-arising of unarisen evil unwholesome mental states, he strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and strives; for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome mental states, etc. for the arising of unarisen wholesome mental states, etc. he generates desire for the presence, non-decay, increase, expansion, development, and fulfilment of arisen wholesome mental states, he strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and strives. These are called "volitional activities of striving." Thus this concentration due to developed mind, and these volitional activities of striving; having collected that together, having summarised it, it is reckoned as just "concentration due to mind and volitional activities of striving."

439. Therein, what is mind? Whatever consciousness, mind, mental state, etc. corresponding mind-consciousness element - this is called "mind".

Therein, what is concentration? Whatever stability of consciousness, steadiness, etc. right concentration - this is called "concentration".

Therein, what is volitional activities of striving? Whatever mental arousal of energy, etc. right effort - this is called "volitional activities of striving". Thus one is endowed with this mind, endowed with this concentration, endowed with this volitional activities of striving, etc. possessed of it. Therefore it is said "possessed of concentration due to developed mind and volitional activities of striving".

440. "Supernormal power" means: Whatever supernormal power, success, thriving, succeeding, gain, attainment, achievement, accomplishment, touching, realisation, and acquisition of those phenomena.

"Basis for spiritual power" means: Of one so constituted, the aggregate of feeling, etc. the aggregate of consciousness.

"Develops the basis for spiritual power" means: One practises, develops, and cultivates those phenomena. Therefore it is said "develops the basis for spiritual power".

4.

The basis for spiritual power of investigation

441. And how does a monk develop the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving? If a monk, having made investigation predominant, gains concentration, gains unified focus of mind - this is called "concentration due to investigation." He generates desire for the non-arising of unarisen evil unwholesome mental states, he strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and strives; for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome mental states, etc. for the arising of unarisen wholesome mental states, etc. he generates desire for the presence, non-decay, increase, expansion, development, and fulfilment of arisen wholesome mental states, he strives, arouses energy, exerts the mind, and strives. These are called "volitional activities of striving." Thus this concentration due to investigation, and these volitional activities of striving; having collected that together, having summarised it, it is reckoned as just "concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving."

442. Therein, what is investigation? Whatever wisdom, understanding, etc. non-delusion, investigation of phenomena, right view - this is called "investigation".

Therein, what is concentration? Whatever stability of consciousness, steadiness, etc. right concentration - this is called "concentration".

Therein, what is volitional activities of striving? Whatever mental arousal of energy, etc. right effort - this is called "volitional activities of striving". Thus one is endowed with this investigation, endowed with this concentration, endowed with this volitional activities of striving, etc. possessed of it. Therefore it is said "possessed of concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving".

443. "Supernormal power" means: Whatever supernormal power, success, thriving, succeeding, gain, attainment, achievement, accomplishment, touching, realisation, and acquisition of those phenomena.

"Basis for spiritual power" means: Of one so constituted, the aggregate of feeling, the aggregate of perception, the aggregate of mental activities, the aggregate of consciousness.

"Develops the basis for spiritual power" means: One practises, develops, and cultivates those phenomena. Therefore it is said "develops the basis for spiritual power".

The Discourse Analysis.

2.

The Abhidhamma Classification

444. The four bases for spiritual power - Here a monk develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving, develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to energy and volitional activities of striving, develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to mind and volitional activities of striving, develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving.

1.

The basis for spiritual power of desire

445. And how does a monk develop the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving? Here a monk, at whatever time he develops supramundane meditative absorption, leading to liberation, leading to non-accumulation, for the abandoning of wrong views, for the attainment of the first plane, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, etc. enters and dwells in the first meditative absorption, which is of difficult practice and sluggish direct knowledge, at that time he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving.

446. Therein, what is desire? Whatever desire, desirousness, wish to do, wholesome desire for mental states - this is called "desire".

Therein, what is concentration? Whatever stability of consciousness, steadiness, etc. right concentration, enlightenment factor of concentration, path factor, included in the path - this is called "concentration".

Therein, what is volitional activities of striving? Whatever mental arousal of energy, etc. right effort, enlightenment factor of energy, path factor, included in the path - this is called "volitional activities of striving". Thus one is endowed with this desire, and with this concentration, and with this volitional activities of striving, etc. possessed of it. Therefore it is said "possessed of concentration due to desire and volitional activities of striving".

447. "Supernormal power" means: Whatever supernormal power, success, thriving, succeeding, gain, attainment, achievement, accomplishment, touching, realisation, and acquisition of those phenomena.

"Basis for spiritual power" means: Of one so constituted, contact, etc. exertion, non-distraction.

"Develops the basis for spiritual power" means: One practises, develops, and cultivates those phenomena. Therefore it is said "develops the basis for spiritual power".

2.

The basis for spiritual power of energy

448. And how does a monk develop the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to energy and volitional activities of striving? Here a monk, at whatever time he develops supramundane meditative absorption, leading to liberation, leading to non-accumulation, for the abandoning of wrong views, for the attainment of the first plane, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, etc. enters and dwells in the first meditative absorption, which is of difficult practice and sluggish direct knowledge, at that time he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to energy and volitional activities of striving.

449. Therein, what is energy? Whatever mental arousal of energy, etc. right effort, enlightenment factor of energy, path factor, included in the path - this is called "energy".

Therein, what is concentration? Whatever stability of consciousness, steadiness, etc. right concentration, enlightenment factor of concentration, path factor, included in the path - this is called "concentration".

Therein, what is volitional activities of striving? Whatever mental arousal of energy, etc. right effort, enlightenment factor of energy, path factor, included in the path - this is called "volitional activities of striving". Thus one is endowed with this energy, endowed with this concentration, endowed with this volitional activities of striving, etc. possessed of it. Therefore it is said "possessed of concentration due to energy and volitional activities of striving".

450. "Supernormal power" means: Whatever supernormal power, success, thriving, succeeding, gain, attainment, achievement, accomplishment, touching, realisation, and acquisition of those phenomena.

"Basis for spiritual power" means: Contact of one in such a state, etc. exertion, non-distraction.

"Develops the basis for spiritual power" means: One practises, develops, and cultivates those phenomena. Therefore it is said "develops the basis for spiritual power".

3.

The basis for spiritual power of developed mind

451. And how does a monk develop the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to mind and volitional activities of striving? Here a monk, at whatever time he develops supramundane meditative absorption, leading to liberation, leading to non-accumulation, for the abandoning of wrong views, for the attainment of the first plane, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, etc. enters and dwells in the first meditative absorption, which is of difficult practice and sluggish direct knowledge, at that time he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to mind and volitional activities of striving.

452. Therein, what is mind? Whatever consciousness, mind, mental state, etc. corresponding mind-consciousness element - this is called "mind".

Therein, what is concentration? Whatever stability of consciousness, steadiness, etc. right concentration, enlightenment factor of concentration, path factor, included in the path - this is called "concentration".

Therein, what is volitional activities of striving? Whatever mental arousal of energy, etc. right effort, enlightenment factor of energy, path factor, included in the path - this is called "volitional activities of striving". Thus one is endowed with this mind, endowed with this concentration, endowed with this volitional activities of striving, etc. possessed of it. Therefore it is said "possessed of concentration due to developed mind and volitional activities of striving".

453. "Supernormal power" means: Whatever supernormal power, success, thriving, succeeding, gain, attainment, achievement, accomplishment, touching, realisation, and acquisition of those phenomena.

"Basis for spiritual power" means: Of one so constituted, contact, etc. exertion, non-distraction.

"Develops the basis for spiritual power" means: One practises, develops, and cultivates those phenomena. Therefore it is said "develops the basis for spiritual power".

4.

The basis for spiritual power of investigation

454. And how does a monk develop the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving? Here a monk, at whatever time he develops supramundane meditative absorption, leading to liberation, leading to non-accumulation, for the abandoning of wrong views, for the attainment of the first plane, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, etc. enters and dwells in the first meditative absorption, which is of difficult practice and sluggish direct knowledge, at that time he develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving.

455. Therein, what is investigation? Whatever wisdom, understanding, etc. non-delusion, investigation of phenomena, right view, enlightenment factor of investigation of phenomena, path factor, included in the path - this is called "investigation".

Therein, what is concentration? Whatever stability of consciousness, steadiness, etc. right concentration, enlightenment factor of concentration, path factor, included in the path - this is called "concentration".

Therein, what is volitional activities of striving? Whatever mental arousal of energy, etc. right effort, enlightenment factor of energy, path factor, included in the path - this is called "volitional activities of striving". Thus one is endowed with this investigation, endowed with this concentration, endowed with this volitional activities of striving, fully endowed, approached, fully approached, attained, accomplished, possessed of it. Therefore it is said "possessed of concentration due to investigation and volitional activities of striving".

456. "Supernormal power" means: Whatever supernormal power, success, thriving, succeeding, gain, attainment, achievement, accomplishment, touching, realisation, and acquisition of those phenomena.

"Basis for spiritual power" means: Of one so constituted, contact, etc. exertion, non-distraction.

"Develops the basis for spiritual power" means: One practises, develops, and cultivates those phenomena. Therefore it is said "develops the basis for spiritual power".

457. The four bases for spiritual power - the basis for spiritual power of desire, the basis for spiritual power of energy, the basis for spiritual power of developed mind, the basis for spiritual power of investigation.

458. Therein, what is the basis for spiritual power of desire? Here a monk, at whatever time he develops supramundane meditative absorption, leading to liberation, leading to non-accumulation, for the abandoning of wrong views, for the attainment of the first plane, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, etc. enters and dwells in the first meditative absorption, which is of difficult practice and sluggish direct knowledge, whatever at that time is desire, desirousness, wish to do, wholesome desire for mental states - this is called "the basis for spiritual power of desire". The remaining mental states are associated with the basis for spiritual power of desire.

459. Therein, what is the basis for spiritual power of energy? Here a monk, at whatever time he develops supramundane meditative absorption, leading to liberation, leading to non-accumulation, for the abandoning of wrong views, for the attainment of the first plane, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, etc. enters and dwells in the first meditative absorption, which is of difficult practice and sluggish direct knowledge, whatever at that time is mental arousal of energy, etc. right effort, enlightenment factor of energy, path factor, included in the path - this is called "basis for spiritual power of energy". The remaining states are associated with the basis for spiritual power of energy.

460. Therein, what is the basis for spiritual power of developed mind? Here a monk, at whatever time he develops supramundane meditative absorption, leading to liberation, leading to non-accumulation, for the abandoning of wrong views, for the attainment of the first plane, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, etc. enters and dwells in the first meditative absorption, which is of difficult practice and sluggish direct knowledge, whatever at that time is consciousness, mind, mental state, etc. corresponding mind-consciousness element - this is called "the basis for spiritual power of developed mind". The remaining states are associated with the basis for spiritual power of developed mind.

461. Therein, what is the basis for spiritual power of investigation? Here a monk, at whatever time he develops supramundane meditative absorption, leading to liberation, leading to non-accumulation, for the abandoning of wrong views, for the attainment of the first plane, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, etc. enters and dwells in the first meditative absorption, which is of difficult practice and sluggish direct knowledge, whatever wisdom, understanding at that time, etc. non-delusion, investigation of phenomena, right view, enlightenment factor of investigation of phenomena, path factor, included in the path - this is called "the basis for spiritual power of investigation". The remaining states are associated with the basis for spiritual power of investigation.

The Higher Teaching Analysis.

3.

The Question Section

462. The four bases for spiritual power - Here 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.

463. Of the four bases for spiritual power, how many are wholesome, how many are unwholesome, how many are indeterminate? Etc. How many are conflicting, how many are without conflict?

1.

The threes

464. Wholesome only. May be associated with pleasant feeling, may be associated with neither-unpleasant-nor-pleasant feeling. States that have resultant quality. Neither clung-to nor subject to clinging. Undefiled and not subject to defilement. May be with applied and sustained thought, may be without applied but sustained thought only, may be without applied and sustained thought. May be accompanied by rapture, may be accompanied by pleasure, may be accompanied by equanimity. To be abandoned neither by seeing nor by meditative development. Connected with a root to be abandoned neither by seeing nor by meditative development. Leading to non-accumulation. The trainees. Limitless. Limitless object. Superior. With fixed course of the right path. Not having the path as object, connected with the path as root, not having path predominance. May be arisen, may be unarisen, they are not to be said to be subject to arise. May be past, may be future, may be present. Not to be said to have a past object, nor a future object, nor a present object. May be internal, may be external, may be internal-external. External object. Non-manifest and non-impinging.

2.

The twos

465. The basis for spiritual power of investigation is a root, the three bases for spiritual power are not roots. With root. Associated with root. The basis for spiritual power of investigation is both a root and with root, the three bases for spiritual power are not to be said to be both roots and with root; with root and not roots. The basis for spiritual power of investigation is both a root and associated with root, the three bases for spiritual power are not to be said to be both roots and associated with root; associated with root and not roots. The three bases for spiritual power are non-roots with root, the basis for spiritual power of investigation is not to be said to be non-root with root, nor non-root and rootless. With condition. Conditioned. Non-manifest. Non-impinging. Immaterial. Supramundane. Cognizable in some way, not cognizable in some way. Non-mental corruptions. Without mental corruptions. Dissociated from mental corruptions. Not to be said to be both mental corruptions and with mental corruptions, nor to be with mental corruptions and not mental corruptions. Not to be said to be both mental corruptions and associated with mental corruptions, nor to be associated with mental corruptions and not mental corruptions. Dissociated from mental corruptions. Without mental corruptions.

Non-mental fetters, etc. Non-mental knots, etc. Non-mental floods, etc. non-mental bonds, etc. Non-mental hindrances, etc. Non-adherence, etc. With sense-object. The three bases for spiritual power are not consciousness, the basis for spiritual power of developed mind is consciousness. The three bases for spiritual power are mental factors, the basis for spiritual power of developed mind is not mental factor. The three bases for spiritual power are associated with consciousness, the basis for spiritual power of developed mind is not to be said to be "associated with consciousness", nor "dissociated from consciousness". The three bases for spiritual power are conjoined with consciousness, the basis for spiritual power of developed mind is not to be said to be "conjoined with consciousness", nor "disjoined from consciousness". The three bases for spiritual power are consciousness-originated, the basis for spiritual power of developed mind is not consciousness-originated. The three bases for spiritual power are concomitant with consciousness, the basis for spiritual power of developed mind is not concomitant with consciousness. The three bases for spiritual power are consecutive to consciousness, the basis for spiritual power of developed mind is not consecutive to consciousness. The three bases for spiritual power originate conjoined with consciousness, the basis for spiritual power of developed mind does not originate conjoined with consciousness. The three bases for spiritual power originate conjoined with consciousness and arise together with it, the basis for spiritual power of developed mind does not originate conjoined with consciousness and arise together with it. The three bases for spiritual power originate conjoined with consciousness and follow it, the basis for spiritual power of developed mind does not originate conjoined with consciousness and follow it.

Three bases for spiritual power are external, the basis for spiritual power of developed mind is internal. Non-derived. Not clung-to. Not clinging, etc. Not mental defilements, etc. Not to be abandoned through vision. Not to be abandoned by meditative development. Not connected with a root to be abandoned through vision. Not connected with a root to be abandoned by meditative development. May be with applied thought, may be without applied thought. May be with sustained thought, may be without sustained thought. May be with rapture, may be without rapture. May be accompanied by rapture, may be not accompanied by rapture. May be accompanied by pleasure, may be not accompanied by pleasure. May be accompanied by equanimity, may be not accompanied by equanimity. Non-sensual-sphere. Non-fine-material-sphere. Non-immaterial-sphere. Not included. Leading to liberation. Fixed in destination. Unsurpassed. Without conflict.

The question section.

The Analysis of the Bases for Spiritual Power is concluded.