The Fourth Base of Miraculous Powers: Contemplation

Week of April 23, 2005 – The Fourth Base of Miraculous Powers: Contemplation

The Fourth Base of Miraculous Powers is intense contemplation; this is the twelfth aid (of the third set) to enlightenment.

The Four Bases of Mindfulness train us on “how to” and “what to” contemplate. The Four Right Efforts guide our actions and efforts so as to increase our resources for the Bodhi path. These eight aids are the preliminaries for the Four Miraculous Powers. The previous three bases of miraculous powers: desire, vigorous effort and concentration are the foundation for the fourth base. Unless one has a very wholesome root (sharp perception and is very resourceful Bodhiwise) one cannot realize this power of contemplation instantaneously without the gradual development of the first three powers.

Any practitioner, Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike can attain the first three miraculous powers. It is the miraculous power of contemplation that is unique to Buddhism. What is this power? It is the ability to truly understand oneself, to detach from clinging to one’s SELF, to see one’s own nature and to realize one’s ability to contemplate. Defining this power thus, one has attained Arhatship (the perfected disciple; one who has completed the discipline required to attain liberation; a "worthy one" or "pure one;" a person whose mind is free of defilement.) Real cultivation of Buddhism starts from this point onwards. This is the mental aspect of this power.

Of the physical aspect, after one sees one’s own nature or is liberated, one finds the marvelous source of Life Energy or liveliness. This source provides tremendous or bottomless energy or liveliness. One’s heart is filled with Joy and Zest. One is in harmony and has entered the realm of the Pure Land. We can be in the realm of the Pure Land in this lifetime and in this world, we do not need to wait till death to be reborn into the Pure Land.

Maintain your Faith and Understanding and, above all, keep on Practicing!