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Buddhist View on Miracles: Miracles Arising from Mental Powers
Višnja Grabovac
; Filozofski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
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* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
This paper explores the Buddhist concept of miracles (pāṭihāriya), highlighting that,
unlike in Abrahamic religions, Buddhism does not recognize omnipotent gods who
intervene in the world through miraculous acts. Although heavenly beings exist in
Buddhist cosmology, they are not all–powerful and remain subject to saṃsāra—the
cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Miraculous abilities such as levitation, becoming
invisible, walking on water, or multiplying objects or oneʼs image are not divine interventions
but extraordinary skills achieved through deep mental discipline. The paper
focuses on miracles arising from mental powers (iddhi), based on their classification
in the Kevaddha Sutta. Due to space constraints, other miracle types (miracle
of mind–reading and miracle of instruction) are excluded. Examples are provided
to illustrate various forms of mental powers exhibited not only by Gotama Buddha
but also by his male and female disciples. The paper also highlights the ambivalent
stance toward miracles in Buddhist texts. While the Buddha is portrayed as a master
of miraculous powers, these acts serve only as a prelude to his teachings, which are
seen as the only true and noble miracle. In addition to Pāli canonical and non–
canonical sources, the study also draws on the Mahāvastu, a lesser–explored text
preserved in Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit, thus contributing to a broader understanding
of the topic.
Ključne riječi
miracle; buddhism; psychic powers; iddhi; Tipiṭaka Canon; Mahāvastu
Hrčak ID:
347270
URI
Datum izdavanja:
1.7.2026.
Posjeta: 0 *