[1172] Bhikkhus, whatever ascetics or brahmins in the past exercised the various kinds of spiritual power (iddhividha) — having been one, they became many; having been many, they became one; they appeared and vanished; they went unhindered through a wall, through a rampart, through a mountain, as though through space; they dove in and out of the earth as though it were water; they walked upon water without breaking the surface as though upon earth; seated cross-legged they traveled through space like a winged bird; with the hand they touched and stroked even this moon and sun, so mighty and so powerful; and they exercised mastery with the body even as far as the brahmā world — all of them did so because of having developed and cultivated the four bases of spiritual power (iddhipāda).
Bhikkhus, whatever ascetics or brahmins in the future will exercise the various kinds of spiritual power — having been one, they will become many; having been many, they will become one; they will appear and vanish; they will go unhindered through a wall, through a rampart, through a mountain, as though through space; they will dive in and out of the earth as though it were water; they will walk upon water without breaking the surface as though upon earth; seated cross-legged they will travel through space like a winged bird; with the hand they will touch and stroke even this moon and sun, so mighty and so powerful; and they will exercise mastery with the body even as far as the brahmā world — all of them will do so because of having developed and cultivated the four bases of spiritual power.
Bhikkhus, whatever ascetics or brahmins at present exercise the various kinds of spiritual power — having been one, they become many; having been many, they become one; they appear and vanish; they go unhindered through a wall, through a rampart, through a mountain, as though through space; they dive in and out of the earth as though it were water; they walk upon water without breaking the surface as though upon earth; seated cross-legged they travel through space like a winged bird; with the hand they touch and stroke even this moon and sun, so mighty and so powerful; and they exercise mastery with the body even as far as the brahmā world — all of them do so because of having developed and cultivated the four bases of spiritual power.
Which four? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis of spiritual power possessed of concentration (samādhi) due to desire and volitional formations of striving. He develops the basis of spiritual power possessed of concentration due to energy … concentration due to mind (citta) … concentration due to inquiry and volitional formations of striving.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.