Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 6Truthfully Announcing Superhuman Attainments
Pāli / Sanskrit:Bhūtārocana
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Sutra on Publicly Announcing Superhuman Attainments
Background
Bhūtārocana, publicly announcing what is true, is one of the regulations belonging to the Pātimokkha, the most basic code of the Theravāda tradition. This rule is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pācittiya section, offenses requiring confession, and reflects the deep concern of early Buddhism with truthfulness and claims related to supernatural abilities.
The background for the arising of this regulation came from specific cases in which monks or practitioners publicly declared that they possessed superhuman attainments (abhiññā), such as psychic powers, the divine eye, or recollection of past lives, but these claims were either false or motivated by the desire for fame and reputation. The Buddha saw the danger of such false claims, because they distract from the teaching and lead believers onto a wrong path.
Main Content
The Bhūtārocana regulation states that if a bhikkhu does not in fact possess the supernormal powers he claims, yet publicly says that he has superhuman attainments (agga-parama-manussadhamma), he violates Pācittiya, one of the offenses requiring confession and acknowledgment before fellow practitioners.
An important aspect of this regulation is that it does not forbid those who truly have supernormal attainments from declaring them, provided the declaration is true. However, early Buddhism emphasizes that such abilities are not the goal of practice. They are only side effects of proper cultivation. What is truly considered “superhuman” is liberation from suffering (nirvana), not miracles or psychic powers.
This regulation also reflects a basic moral principle: truth (sacca) is the foundation of all ethical action. Lying about spiritual attainments is a profound violation, because it attacks the trust of the practicing community and abuses the authority of the monastic position.
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