SESSION 1 - Ṛddhipāda / Bases of Spiritual Power

DESCRIPTION

The origins of Vajrayana Buddhism can be traced back to the Mahāsiddha tradition of medieval India (c. 5th century AD). The practices of these ‘accomplished ones’ can be further traced back to the Ṛddhipāda - the bases of spiritual power - a division of teachings from the early schools of Buddhism found in the Section 51 of the Samyutta Nikaya.

Primary Reading

‘Shaking of the Mansion” Iddhipāda - Section 51 of the Samyutta Nikaya

Shaking the Stilt Longhouse (Sujato translation)

Suggested Reading

PART ONE: Overview of the Course

• Vajrayana is the most advanced form of Buddhism, the result of 1000 years of development
• Considered the ‘Third Turning’ of the Dharma Wheel
• Incorporating: renunciation, philosophy, devotion, scripture, sovereignty, phenomenology, and lineages (the essential aspects of the Eight Schools)
• Originating from the Mahāsiddha tradition of medieval India - the ‘accomplished ones’ who display magical powers

PART TWO: Shaking the Mansion

Based upon the Iddhipāda - Section 51 of the Samyutta Nikaya

1(1) From the near Shore

The Four Bases of Power (Ṛddhipāda) Concentration (samādhi) from conditioned striving (padhānasaṅkhāra) based upon:

1. Chanda - Desire
2. Virya - Effort, determination, or drive
3. Citta - Mind
4. Vīmaṃsā - Investigation, ‘testing out’, experimentation

15(5) The Brahmin Uṇṇābha

Ānanda explains to the Brahmin how desire is used to abandon desire.

11(1) Before

Five (or Six) Super knowledges (Abhijñā)

1 - "Higher powers" (Ṛddhis, see below)

2 - Divine Ear

3 - Mind-penetrating knowledge

4 - Remember one's former abodes

5 - Divine Eye

[6] - Extinction of mental afflictions

14(4) Moggalāna

Eight Powers (Ṛddhibala)

1. Replicate and project bodily images of oneself
2. Make oneself invisible
3. Pass through solid objects
4. Sink into solid ground
5. Walk on water
6. Fly
7. Touch the sun and moon with one's hand
8. Ascend to the world of the god Brahmā in the highest heavens