VaggaIddhibalakathā

Abhidhammapiṭaka · Kathāvatthu · Vol. 37 · Section 1460

[1460] [Sakavādin:] "Could one endowed with the power of psychic potency (iddhibala) remain for an aeon (kappa)?" [Paravādin:] "Yes." [S.:] "Is that life-span (āyu) produced by psychic potency, is that destination (gati) produced by psychic potency, is that acquisition of individual existence (attabhāvapaṭilābha) produced by psychic potency?" [P.:] "It should not be said thus. …" [S.:] "Could one endowed with the power of psychic potency remain for an aeon?" [P.:] "Yes." [S.:] "Could he remain for a past aeon? Could he remain for a future aeon?" [P.:] "It should not be said thus. …" [S.:] "Could one endowed with the power of psychic potency remain for an aeon?" [P.:] "Yes." [S.:] "Could he remain for two aeons? Could he remain for three aeons? Could he remain for four aeons?" [P.:] "It should not be said thus. …" [S.:] "Could one endowed with the power of psychic potency remain for an aeon?" [P.:] "Yes." [S.:] "Could he remain while life, a remainder of life, exists, or could he remain when life, a remainder of life, does not exist?" [P.:] "He could remain while life, a remainder of life, exists." [S.:] "If he could remain while life, a remainder of life, exists, then indeed it should not be said: 'One endowed with the power of psychic potency could remain for an aeon.' …" [P.:] "He could remain when life, a remainder of life, does not exist." [S.:] "Could one who is dead remain? Could one who has passed away remain?" [P.:] "It should not be said thus. …"

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.

This passage also appears in 3 other places