Why Advanced Meditation Practitioners Do Not Prove Their Superhuman Powers to the World?

It is a common notion among many that if there are advanced meditation practitioners who have achieved a state of completion in Jhana, they should be exhibiting their superhuman powers to the world. After all, wouldn’t it be good and helpful to prove such abilities to a skeptical public? However, as someone who has personally witnessed several individuals mastering Jhana, none of them have developed these abilities.

Completion of Jhana and its Relevance

According to Buddhism, the completion of Jhana is not a prequalification for attaining superhuman powers. The method known as Samatha, which focuses on Jhanic experiences, existed before the advent of Buddha's unique mediation method, Vipassana. In Vipassana, Samatha and Vipassana typically develop in parallel, with the aim not being to focus on Jhanic experiences per se, but rather to achieve enlightenment.

The Utility of Superhuman Powers

One might argue that possessing superhuman powers could indeed be considered good and helpful, but for what purpose? In my experience, such abilities, even if one were to develop them, would only distract from the true path of enlightenment. For instance, as mentioned, if I was able to transform iron into gold merely by covering it in filth—though this feat is attributed to certain highly enlightened figures—such an achievement would not lead to awakening but rather to a degraded existence as a greedy businessman. Who would be interested in such powers? Enlightened beings or those who crave material wealth?

Transcending the Mind’s Lies

The development of superhuman powers through deep meditation and enlightenment is not something akin to the Superman or Spiderman of fiction. Instead, knowledge and enlightenment bring about a positive transformation at a cosmic level. When someone reaches a state of enlightenment, every particle in the universe benefits from this advancement. Transcend your thoughts; let them pass without demanding that others attain what you should achieve on your own. Zen teaches: “Sit and wait. Meditate. Complete yourself.

The Uncertainty and Distracting Nature of Superhuman Powers

Superhuman powers can fade away over time. One way to ensure this is by using these abilities in a public display, which requires a composed and ungreedy mind. Buddha himself emphasized that such powers are not the true path to salvation. Salvation can be achieved without engaging in such powers at all, as they often serve as a distraction from the greater pursuit of enlightenment.

Skeptics in various parts of the world, particularly in countries with traditions in Hindu and Buddhist practices, have noted that individuals claiming such powers are often prohibited from showcasing them publicly. This makes these claims unverifiable and suspicious. In both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, there have been cases of fraudulent "God-men" who exploit their supposed abilities for personal gain. Governments in some cases even support these figures, which is a sad commentary on the situation.

The exposure of such frauds in other contexts, particularly in the United States, serves as a stark reminder of the need for critical thinking. For instance, when James Randi exposed the fraud of Peter Popoff on an old episode of the Johnny Carson show, no agency was willing to prosecute him for defrauding numerous victims of significant amounts of money. Not only did Randi face threats and complaints, but Popoff was still celebrated for "doing God's work."

These examples serve as a wake-up call to approach claims of superhuman powers with skepticism and a critical mindset. True enlightenment lies not in flashy displays or abilities that can be easily demonstrated, but in the quiet, steady progress of one's own embodiment of the Dharma.