Supernatural power, Supernormal power, Magical power: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Supernatural power means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
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In Hinduism
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Supernatural Powers are denoted by the Sanskrit term Siddhi, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Vāmadeva: “Thought, intellect and ego are the officiants; mind is the Soma-drinking sacrificer, and it sacrifices the senses and ten vital breaths into the orb of light. [This] orb of light shines from the root [of the palate] to the aperture [at the top of the head]. It is to be meditated on constantly by yogins [because] it bestows the eight supernatural powers (aṣṭa-siddhi) such as minimisation [aṇimādyaṣṭasiddhidam]. [...]”.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
1) Supernormal Powers were developed by certain Hermits who where thereafter called “Seers”. Also see the “Five Supernormal Powers” (in Tibetan: mngon shes lnga).—Accordingly, [during the time of king Saṃmata or Mahāsammata]: Some hermits reduced their desires and achieved satisfaction; sitting alone, they isolated mind and body and so attained tranquil abiding. When they then gained supernormal and magical powers [e.g., various physical powers], they were called “seers”. Of those, many who had attained supernormal powers and trained in logic analyzed their own minds, set forth a path for attaining liberation and higher rebirth, and wrote texts that laid out the logical reasons proving that path. It was through this that the philosophical systems of the extremists spread. The first to arise was the Sāṃkhya. During the period of measureless lifespans there lived a seer called Kapila (“Yellow-White”), who had long yellow-white hair and possessed the five supernormal powers. Relying on his innate wisdom, he composed many texts. His followers were known as Sāṃkhyas (“Enumerators”) or Kāpilīyas.
2) Supernormal power (in Tibetan: mngon shes; Sanskrit: abhijñā) — Powers attained by advanced meditators: retrocognition, clairvoyance, clairaudience, telepathy, yogic achievements, and knowledge of the destruction of the corruptions, i.e., delusions. The first five can be gained through deep concentration, and are not specific to Buddhism; the last is unique to Buddhists and is attained only on the basis of superior insight into the nature of reality
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Magic, Power, Supernormal.
Full-text (+1300): Siddhartha, Riddhi, Wu zhong tong, Shentong, Shen tong li, Ashtasiddhi, Mahasiddhi, Liu shen tong, Prakamya, Zhu tong, Lou jin tong, Liu tong, Riddhyabhijna, Tong li, Su ming tong, Wu xun, Riddhipada, Iddhi, Pancabhijna, Tong Hui.
Relevant text
Search found 319 books and stories containing Supernatural power, Magic power, Magic powers, Magical power, Supernatural powers, Supernormal power, Supernormal powers; (plurals include: Supernatural powers, Magic powers, Magic powerses, Magical powers, Supernatural powerses, Supernormal powers, Supernormal powerses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Kathasaritsagara (cultural study) (by S. W. Chitale)
Magic in ancient India < [Chapter 4 - Social Conditions]
Description of Minor Deities in the Kathasaritsagara < [Chapter 5 - Religion and Philosophy]
Traces of Mysticism in Jainism (Study) (by Sadhvi Madhystha Prabha)
1. Introduction (spirituality and supernatural powers) < [Chapter 5 - Mysticism at the level of Body and Mind]
2. Meaning and Definition (of supernatural powers) < [Chapter 5 - Mysticism at the level of Body and Mind]
5.2. Mental Labdhi (attainments) < [Chapter 5 - Mysticism at the level of Body and Mind]
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Indian influences in the Philippines (by Juan R. Francisco)
Magic Articles Motif < [Chapter 5 - Indian Literature in the Philippines—Folk-literature motifs]
Coming to Life Again Motif < [Chapter 5 - Indian Literature in the Philippines—Folk-literature motifs]
Metamorphosis Motif < [Chapter 5 - Indian Literature in the Philippines—Folk-literature motifs]
Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story) (by Somadeva)
Chapter LXVIII < [Book XII - Śaśāṅkavatī]
Chapter XCVII < [Book XII - Śaśāṅkavatī]
Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations) (by Makarand Gopal Newalkar)
Siddhis—Supernormal powers < [Book III - Vibhūti-pāda]
Sūtra 4.1 < [Book IV - Kaivalya-pāda]
Sūtra 3.15 < [Book III - Vibhūti-pāda]
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