San Sarv Bu Pm Tf 11 Pc 7Truthfully Announcing Superhuman Attainments
Pāli / Sanskrit:Bhūtārocana
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The Bhūtārocana Discourse: An Explanation of Declaring Superhuman Powers
Context
The Bhūtārocana discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the early Buddhist tradition in the Pāli Canon. It is a disciplinary discourse (Vinaya) concerning ethical rules (Sīla) and the practice of right livelihood among bhikkhus, especially the issue of false declaration of superhuman powers (Abhiññā).
In the context of the early Buddhist community, misconduct related to declaring, announcing, or falsely claiming supernormal powers, such as psychic powers, the four knowledges, and so forth, was regarded as a serious ethical violation. This discourse emphasizes the principle of "Satya," Truth, one of the foundations of Buddhism. False disclosure or lying about spiritual attainment not only damages the personal credibility of the monastic but also destroys the confidence of the Buddhist community.
Main Content
The Bhūtārocana discourse states that a bhikkhu must not casually reveal, announce, or claim that he has attained superhuman powers if he has not truly attained them. Specifically, these powers include psychic power (Iddhisiddhi), the divine ear (Dibbasota), Tha-citta-pariyāya-ñāṇa, the ability to know the minds of others, Pubbenivāsa-ñāṇa, recollection of past lives, and Dibbacakkhu, the divine eye.
Lying about these attainments is considered a Pārājika or a grave violation in the Vinaya Piṭaka. It is not only a breach of discipline but also a violation of the Fifth Precept (Pañcasīla), abstaining from false speech. The discourse emphasizes that honesty is a core factor in the process of practice. Even if a bhikkhu has truly attained these powers, revealing them must still be done carefully, only when truly necessary and for the purpose of instruction, not for self-glorification or material gain.
Practical Meaning
The Bhūtārocana discourse carries a profound message for those who pursue the path of practice.
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