Ban on Miracles

Once a businessman of Rajgir, tied up an expensive sandalwood bowl to a very long bamboo stick and hung it very high. He then announced that it belongs to anyone who would fly up in the air and bring it down. Who can do it? A thought arose in the mind of Piṇḍola Bhāradwaj, a follower of the Buddha that if I can bring it down, the Buddha will gain appreciation. Therefore, flying up in the air, he brought it down. People were in high praise of him. He proceeded towards the Buddha’s monastery. People followed him singing slogans in his praise. When he reached before the Buddha and informed him about this feat, the Buddha reproached Piṇḍola Bhāradwaj and said—“Break this pot made of sandalwood”. Then he added that it is improper, against the decorum of monks, and this was not called for. For a lifeless piece of wood, how could you display miracles to the householders? Householders consider people who display supernatural and magical powers to be gods and start worshipping them. They do not respect the Dhamma, they worship the supernatural powers. In this manner, the Dhamma gets gradually degraded and these supernatural powers become important. He rightfully banned the display of any miracles by any Dhamma teacher in the present time or in future because it is very dangerous. An unscrupulous person can cheat the people and take undue advantage of their devotion. He can establish his popularity and generate ego, leading to his own downfall.