Supernatural Powers in Buddhist Practice: Mastering Abhiññā in Hpa-Auk Buddhist Meditation Method in Contemporary Myanmar
Contemporary Buddhism June 1, 2026 Kanae Kawamoto
In the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, six supernatural powers called abhiññās—including recalling past lives and reading minds—are often marginalized as non-essential or heterodox. This research examines how the contemporary meditation method of Burmese monk Hpa-Auk Sayadaw restructures these powers as a systematic, canonical practice. Based on fieldwork and interviews since 2014, the study shows that abilities such as recalling past lives and the 'divine eye' function as rational tools for deepening understanding of Buddhist teachings, including karmic interconnectedness, the cycle of rebirth, and compassion. Analyzing the living practice of three nuns in Myanmar, the paper demonstrates how cultivating abhiññās is integrated within the Pāli canonical meditation system, expanding focus beyond popular mindfulness and vipassanā movements.