Why did the Buddha reject displays of supernatural power?

A sceptic could say the display was just a magic charm, so it proves nothing. The Buddha said he was troubled and ashamed by such displays.

What is the miracle of instruction?

The miracle of instruction is teaching that transforms a person's mind and leads them to enlightenment. The Buddha saw this as the only miracle worth performing.

How does the Kevatta Sutta use miracles as an argument about the nature of reality?

Psychic powers belong to the changing world of samsara and cannot reveal ultimate truth. Only insight into reality through the Dhamma brings liberation.

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B 1RB0

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Buddhism: Philosophy of Religion

Buddhist teaching on miracles

3 things to know
Paper 3

Overview

Kevatta's request and the three kinds of miracle the Buddha describes, the miracle of instruction, why displays of power were refused, the tradition of Savatthi, and atheist and scientific explanations.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is a miracle in Buddhist terms?

Key term

What happened when Kevatta asked the Buddha to perform miracles?

Key term

Which three kinds of miracle does the Buddha describe in the Kevatta Sutta?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is a miracle in Buddhist terms?
Model answer
A miracle is an event beyond natural explanation, such as flying or reading minds. Buddhists call such abilities iddhi, psychic powers developed through deep meditation.
2
What happened when Kevatta asked the Buddha to perform miracles?
Model answer
Kevatta asked the Buddha to let a monk perform a miracle to win more followers in Nalanda. The Buddha refused.
3
Which three kinds of miracle does the Buddha describe in the Kevatta Sutta?
Model answer
The three are the miracle of psychic power, the miracle of mind-reading and the miracle of instruction. The Buddha praised only the miracle of instruction.
4
Why did the Buddha reject displays of supernatural power?
Model answer
A sceptic could say the display was just a magic charm, so it proves nothing. The Buddha said he was troubled and ashamed by such displays.
5
What is the miracle of instruction?
Model answer
The miracle of instruction is teaching that transforms a person's mind and leads them to enlightenment. The Buddha saw this as the only miracle worth performing.
6
How does the Kevatta Sutta use miracles as an argument about the nature of reality?
Model answer
Psychic powers belong to the changing world of samsara and cannot reveal ultimate truth. Only insight into reality through the Dhamma brings liberation.

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