64(10)Lion's Roar
"Bhikkhus,there are these six Tathāgata's powers that the Tathāgata has,possessing which he claims the place of the chiefbull,roars his lion's roar in the assemblies,and sets in motion the brahma wheel.
It is strange that only six Tathagata's powers are mentioned here.Usually,ten Tathagata's powers are cited (identified as nanabalani,powers of knowledge).In AN the ten are in 10:21. They are also at MN12.9-20,I69-71,and analyzed at Vibh 335- 44(Be SS809-31).What six?
(1)"Here,bhikkhus,the Tathāgata understands as it really
is the possible as possible and the impossible as impossible.
Some examples of the possible(ṭhāna)and the impossible(aṭṭhāna) are at 1:268-95;MN 115.12-19,III 64-67;and Vibh 335-38(Be S809).Since the Tathāgata understands as it really is the possible as
possible and the impossible as impossible,this is a Tathāgata's power that the Tathagata has,possessing which he claims the
place of the chief bull,roars his lion's roar in the assemblies,
and sets in motion the brahma wheel.
(2)"Again,the Tathāgata understands as it really is the result
of the undertaking of kamma past,future,and present in terms
of possibilities and causes.
Thanaso hetuso.Mp explains possibility(thāna)as condition(pac- caya).Following Vibh 338-39(BeS810),it takes this to be knowledge of the conditions for kamma bringing a result in connection with four factors that can either reinforce or impede its maturation:realm (gati,one's place of rebirth),acquisitions(upadhi,one's body and mind),time(kala),and effort(payoga).The cause(hetu)is the kamma itself.Since the Tathagata understands
asit really is the result of the undertaking of kamma....this too
is a Tathagata's power that the Tathagata has,possessing which
he...sets in motion the brahma wheel.
(3)"Again,the Tathāgata [418]understands as it really is the
defilement,the cleansing,and the emergence in regard to the
jhānas,emancipations,concentrations,and meditative attainments.
The four jhanas are found throughout the Nikāyas.The eight emancipations(vimokkha)are at 8:66.The three kinds of concentration(samadhi)are at 8:63:concentration with thought and examination,without thought but with examination only,and without thought and examination.The nine meditative attainments(samapatti)are the same as the nine progressive dwellings (anupubbavihara)at 9:32.The defilement (samkilesa)is a quality that leads to deterioration;the cleansing(vodana)is a quality that makes for distinction;and the emergence(vutthana),according to Vibh 342-43(Be S828),is the cleansing and emergence itself: "Cleansing"here means that proficiency in the lower jhāna is the foundation for the next higher jhāna;"emergence itself"means coming out from the jhāna.Since the Tathāgata understands as it really is the
defilement,the cleansing,and the emergence in regard to the
jhānas...this too is a Tathāgata's power that the Tathāgata has,
possessing which he...sets in motion the brahma wheel.
(4)"Again,the Tathāgata recollects his manifold past abodes,
that is,one birth,two births...[as in 6:2 S4]...Thus he recollects his manifold past abodes with their aspects and details.
Since the Tathāgata recollects his manifold past abodes...with
their aspects and details,
this too is a Tathāgata's power that
the Tathāgata has,possessing which he...sets in motion the
brahma wheel.
(5)"Again,with the divine eye,which is purified and surpasses the human,the Tathāgata sees beings passing away and
being reborn...[as in 6:2S5]...and he understands how beings
fare in accordance with their kamma.
Since the Tathāgata...
understands how beings fare in accordance with their kamma,
this too is a Tathagata's power that the Tathāgata has,possessing which he...sets in motion the brahma wheel.
(6)"Again,with the destruction of the taints,the Tathāgata has realized for himself with direct knowledge,in this very life,
the taintless liberation of mind,liberation by wisdom,and hav-ing entered upon it,he dwells in it.
Since theTathagata has real-ized for himself...the taintless liberation of mind,liberation by wisdom...this too is a Tathāgata's power that the Tathāgata has,possessing which he...sets in motion the brahma wheel.[419]
"These are the six Tathāgata's powers that the Tathāgata has,possessing which he claims the place of the chief bull,roars his lion's roar in the assemblies,and sets in motion the brahma wheel.
(1)"If,bhikkhus,others approach the Tathagata and ask him a question related to his knowledge as it really is of the possible as possible and the impossible as impossible,
then the Tathāgata,questioned in this way,answers them exactly as he has understood this knowledge.
(2)"If others approach the Tathāgata and ask him a question related to his knowledge as it really is of the result of the undertaking of kamma past,future,andpresent in terms of possibilities and causes,
then the Tathāgata,questioned in this way,answers them exactly as he has understood this knowledge.
(3)"If others approach the Tathāgata and ask him a question related to his knowledge as it really is of the defilement,the cleansing,and the emergence in regard to the jhānas,emancipations,concentrations,and meditative attainments,
then the Tathāgata,questioned in this way,answers them exactly as hehas understood this knowledge.
(4)"If others approach the Tathāgata and ask him a question related to his knowledge as it really is of the recollection o fpast abodes,
then [420]the Tathāgata,questioned in this way,answers them exactly as he has understood this knowledge.
Ce and Be indicate,by the use of ellipsis points,that the last three sections should be expanded in full,as in 6:2.To facilitate readability,I present these sections without showing the elision of stock phrases.(5)"If others approach the Tathāgata and ask him a question related to his knowledge as it really is of the passing away and rebirth of beings,
then the Tathāgata,questioned in this way,answers them exactly as he has understood this knowledge.
(6)"If others approach the Tathāgata and ask him a question related to his knowledge as it really is of the taintless liberation of mind,liberation by wisdom,
then the Tathāgata,questioned in this way,answers them exactly as he has understood this knowledge.
(1)"I say,bhikkhus,that the knowledge as it really is of the possible as possible and the impossible as impossible is for one who is concentrated,not for one who lacks concentration.
(2)"I say that the knowledge as it really is of the result of the undertaking of kammas past,future,and present in terms of possibilities and causes is for one who is concentrated,not for one who lacks concentration.
(3)"I say that the knowledge as it really is of the defilement,the cleansing,and the emergence in regard to the jhānas,emancipations,concentrations,and meditative attainments is for one who is concentrated,not for one who lacks concentration.
(4)"I say that the knowledge as it really is of the recollection of past abodes is for one who is concentrated,not for one who lacks concentration.
(5)“I say that the knowledge as it really is of the passing away and rebirth of beings is for one who is concentrated,not for one who lacks concentration.
(6)"I say that the knowledge as it really is of the taintless liberation of mind,liberation by wisdom,is for one who is concentrated,not for one who lacks concentration.
"Thus,bhikkhus,concentration is the path;lack of concentration is the wrong path."[421]