The vedic background of the buddhist notions of Iddhi and Abhiññ: Three case studies with particular reference to the pali literature

Abstract

This article begins with a brief introductory account of the vicissitudes of the academic studies on extraordinary capacities. Thereafter, the stereotyped passages in which iddhi and abhiñña occur as a meditative attainment achieved within a Buddhist path of liberation are presented and the interpretation of these two terms is discussed. After these preparatory opening remarks, the Vedic background of iddhi and abhiñña is treated with regards to three aspects. First, the speculative idea sustained by some scholars that would see the body made of mind (manomaya-kaya) as the base and tool to perform iddhis and abhiññas is discussed on the basis of the Vedic evidence. Secondly, the term 'divine' (dibba) that occurs in the description of some abhiññas is compared with the use of the corresponding Vedic terms and with the Vedic idea of a divine power behind the functioning of the faculties. Finally, the abhiñña called 'the knowledge of degeneration and ascent of beings' (cutupapataña?a) is compared with a couple of narratives involving the oneiric state within the Upanisads, showing some similarities between the two accounts.