Eighteen miraculous powers
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eighteen miraculous powers
十八変 ( Jpn juhachi-hen )
Eighteen kinds of actions and appearances that Buddhas and bodhisattvas are said to manifest. They are:
(1) making water come out of the right side of their bodies,
(2) making fire come out of the left side of their bodies,
(3) making fire come out of the right side of their bodies,
(4) making water come out of the left side of their bodies,
(5) making water come out of the upper part of their bodies,
(6) making fire come out of the lower part of their bodies,
(7) making fire come out of the upper part of their bodies,
(8) making water come out of the lower part of their bodies,
(9) walking on water as though it were land,
(10) moving on the ground as though it were water,
(11) disappearing into the sky and then suddenly appearing on the ground,
(12) disappearing on the ground and then suddenly appearing in the sky,
(13) walking in midair,
(14) standing in midair,
(15) sitting in midair,
(16) lying down in midair,
(17) manifesting a huge body that fills the sky, and
(18) making one's huge body small again.
It is said that Buddhas and bodhisattvas manifest these supernatural powers in order to instruct people and lead them to enlightenment. Explanations vary among sources.