Miracles

Below is a little something that i posted recently in the forum when a fellow dhamma brother posted his thoughtful comments on how one shouldn't be too obssessed with supernatural issues and mistake them as teachings of the Buddha. Further to his notes, i added the following:

Buddha has taught that there are three types of miracles -

1. Physical miracles such as levitating powers and walking through walls.
2. Mental miracles such as telepathy and telekinetic abilities.
3. Miracle of walking the Noble Path.

Of the above three miracles, only the third one is worthy of praise as the first two can be liken to performances of a magician. They impress and may provide temproral gains but do little more than that. Whereas the third kind of miracle can allow one to achieve freedom from suffering.

Buddha also warned against developing miraculous power without developing spiritually as it can be dangerous since without wisdom, one may deviate from the right path and misuse the powers for worldly gains instead.

Below is a good read about miraculous powers from a section of What Buddhist Believe from Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda -What Buddhists Believe - Miraculous Power

So let us not be distracted by supernatural powers and their miraculous performances but concentrate on the miracle that is existing right within us - the ability to live in the present moment, here and now.

With metta - may all beings be well and happy