About Supernatural Power

Having been in contact with many Buddhists for a long time, we find that everyone is curious about supernatural powers. They want to know whether we could demonstrate supernatural powers or predict what will happen in the next few days. Regarding this point, I have to say, the display of supernatural powers is not suitable for the propagation of Dharma. What we really need is the study of principles and the progress of empirical research. Only when we thoroughly understand these principles, knowing these principles can explain everything in the world, we could naturally build up faith in the practice of Buddhism. As we keep doing empirical researches, we gain all kinds of benefits, such as feeling the sense of happiness, curing our physical and mental illnesses, and even improving our life. Then, we could really experience the true value of Buddhism.
And what is supernatural power? Supernatural powers belong to others, not yours. When other people show magical power, those who do not believe it will say they are playing magic tricks, fooling people, and doing something superstitious. People in contemporary society are more incredulous of these powers, saying that there must be some gimmicks, or that they have made inquiries in advance, or that it is mere coincidence. So demonstrating supernatural power is not of any use. If one doesn’t believe it, he can find any reason for his suspicion. For example, if an ordinary-looking person says that he has achieved Samadhi (or subconscious concentration), we might doubt why he still looks so ordinary. For a well-dressed and good-looking person we might think that he deliberately dresses up like this so as to deceive people? This brings us to Buddha’s time when even Buddha’s neighbors fail to believe what Buddha has achieved. Therefore, our faith is built by ourselves. Only through deep understanding of theories and real progress in empirical research can we build up faith in Dharma. ---- An introspection from a practitioner
Master Qingliang Yue: There are two different levels of clairvoyance: the relatively low and high levels. The low level, to which we don’t have to be so attached, is available to the groggy people, Pretas (hungry ghosts), as well as some low animals. It is just like what we experience in Hypnosis. Under the induction of the hypnotist, we can see our previous lives, which are presented as unclear visions. Pretas all live in their memories, namely, in the past visions. So, those who become Pretas someday will be able to see what has happened in the past. As long as we achieve tranquility and consecutive drowsiness, we could see things of the past. But these visions demonstrate three features. First, they are not very clear. Second, they are not very bright. Third, they are uncontrollable. We come to this state, follow it, but find we can’t control it. In other words, unless we are well trained, there is no way for us to escape from this place.
The second kind of clairvoyance, a much higher level of clairvoyance, is achieved through concentration. Compared with the lower levels, this power is autonomous and enables us to see the visions in heaven (Tian Dao). Besides, we are not likely to have consecutive thoughts. With this ability, we can see what will be happening in a few days, or a few months, or a few years, or even dozens of years. This is different from the lower level of clairvoyance in which we only see what happened in the past. So we must know that we see different visions in the future. First, we may see what happens in a few hours, gradually what happens in a few days, then what happens in dozens of years, or even in several hundreds or thousands of years.