[FN#250] ‘Yoga Aphorisms of Patanyjali,’ chap. iii.

[FN#251] A prominent disciple of the Fourth Patriarch, the founder of the Niu Teu School (Go-zu-zen) of Zen, who died in A.D. 675.

[FN#252] Manyjucri is a legendary Bodhisattva, who became an object of worship of some Mahayanists.  He is treated as a personification of transcendental wisdom.

[FN#253] Hwui Yuen (E-gen) and Sho-bo-gen-zo.

It is quite reasonable that Zenists distinguish supernatural powers from spiritual uplifting, the former an acquirement of Devas, or of Asuras, or of Arhats, or of even animals, and the latter as a nobler accomplishment attained only by the practisers of Mahayanism.  Moreover, they use the term supernatural power in a meaning entirely different from the original one.  Lin Tsi (Rin-zai) says, for instance:  “There are six supernatural powers of Buddha:  He is free from the temptation of form, living in the world of form; He is free from the temptation of sound, living in the world of sound; He is free from the temptation of smell, living in the world of smell; He is free from the temptation of taste, living in the world of taste; He is free from the temptation of Dharma,[FN#254] living in the world of Dharma.  These are six supernatural powers."[FN#255]

[FN#254] The things or objects, not of sense, but of mind.

[FN#255] Lin Tsi Luh (Rin-zai-roku).

Sometimes Zenists use the term as if it meant what we call Zen Activity, or the free display of Zen in action, as you see in the following examples.  Tung Shan (To-Zan) was on one occasion attending on his teacher Yun Yen (Un-gan), who asked:  “What are your supernatural powers?” Tung Shan, saying nothing, clasped his hands on his breast, and stood up before Yun Yen.  “How do you display your supernatural powers?” questioned the teacher again.  Then Tung Shan said farewell and went out.  Wei Shan (E-san) one day was taking a nap, and seeing his disciple Yang Shan (Kyo-zan) coming into the room, turned his face towards the wall.  “You need not, Sir,” said Yang Shan, “stand on ceremony, as I am your disciple.”  Wei Shan seemed to try to get up, so Yang Shan went out; but Wei Shan called him back and said:  “I shall tell you of a dream I dreamed.”  The other inclined his head as if to listen.  “Now,” said Wei Shan, “divine my fortune by the dream.”  Thereupon Yang Shan fetched a basin of water and a towel and gave them to the master, who washed his face thereby.  By-and-by Hiang Yen (Kyo-gen) came in, to whom Wei Shan said:  “We displayed supernatural powers a moment ago.  It was not such supernatural powers as are shown by Hinayanists.”  “I know it, Sir,” replied the other, “though I was down below.”  “Say, then, what it was,” demanded the master.  Then Hiang Yen made tea and gave a cup to Wei Shan, who praised the two disciples, saying:  “You surpass Çariputra[FN#256] and Maudgalyayana[FN#257] in your wisdom and supernatural powers."[FN#258]