The Related Suttas Collection 51.31

3. The Iron Ball

About Moggallāna

There the Buddha addressed the bhikkhus: “What do you think, bhikkhus? What things has the bhikkhu Moggallāna developed and cultivated so as to have such power and might?”

“Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. He is our guide and our refuge. …”

“The bhikkhu Moggallāna has become so powerful and mighty by developing and cultivating the four bases of psychic power.

What four? Moggallāna develops the basis of psychic power that has samādhi due to enthusiasm, and active effort. He thinks: ‘My enthusiasm won’t be too lax or too tense. And it’ll be neither constricted internally nor scattered externally.’ And he meditates perceiving continuity: as before, so after; as after, so before; as below, so above; as above, so below; as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day. And so, with an open and unenveloped heart, he develops a mind that’s full of radiance.

He develops the basis of psychic power that has samādhi due to energy … mental development … inquiry, and active effort. He thinks: ‘My inquiry won’t be too lax or too tense. And it’ll be neither constricted internally nor scattered externally.’ … And so, with an open and unenveloped heart, he develops a mind that’s full of radiance. The bhikkhu Moggallāna has become so powerful and mighty by developing and cultivating these four bases of psychic power.

And by developing and cultivating these four bases of psychic power, the bhikkhu Moggallāna wields the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying himself and becoming one again … controlling the body as far as the Brahmā realm.

And by developing and cultivating these four bases of psychic power, the bhikkhu Moggallāna realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And he lives having realized it with his own insight due to the ending of defilements.”