VaggaIssariyakāmakārikākathā

Abhidhammapiṭaka · Kathāvatthu · Vol. 37 · Section 1888

[1888] S. Does the Bodhisatta descend into the womb (gabbhaseyyaṃ okkamati) by reason of the free exercise of sovereignty (issariyakāmakārikāhetu)? [Footnote 1 in the Siam Raṭṭha text: "the Burmese edition reads mahātāpanaṃ" — keyed to the preceding passage.] P. Yes. S. Is the Bodhisatta possessed of psychic power (iddhi)? P. It should not be said thus. … S. Is the Bodhisatta possessed of psychic power? P. Yes. S. Has the basis of psychic power (iddhipāda) consisting of zeal (chanda) been developed by the Bodhisatta … the basis of psychic power consisting of energy (vīriya) … the basis of psychic power consisting of mind (citta) … has the basis of psychic power consisting of investigation (vīmaṃsā) been developed? P. It should not be said thus. … S. Does the Bodhisatta descend into the womb by reason of the free exercise of sovereignty? P. Yes. S. Does there really exist a discourse (suttanta) [stating]: "The Bodhisatta descends into the womb by reason of the free exercise of sovereignty"? P. There is not. S. If there really exists no discourse [stating]: "The Bodhisatta descends into the womb by reason of the free exercise of sovereignty," then indeed, good sir, it should not be said: "The Bodhisatta descends into the womb by reason of the free exercise of sovereignty."

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.