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Iddhipāda (Pali; Skt. ṛddhipāda) is a compound term composed of "power" or "potency" (iddhi; ṛddhi) and "base," "basis" or "constituent" (pāda).[1] In Buddhism, the "power" referred to by this compound term is a group of spiritual powers. Thus, this compound term is usually translated along the lines of "base of power" or "base of spiritual power."[2] In the Buddhist pursuit of bodhi (awakening, understanding) and liberation, the associated spiritual powers are secondary to the four "base" mental qualities that achieve such powers. These four base mental qualities are: concentration on intention; concentration on effort; concentration on consciousness; and, concentration on investigation. These four base mental qualities are used to develop wholesome mental states and rid oneself of unwholesome mental states.[3]
In traditional Buddhist literature, this set of four mental qualities is one of the seven sets of qualities lauded by the Buddha as conducive to Enlightenment (bodhipakkhiyādhammā).
- ^ See, e.g., Rhys Davids & Stede (1921-25), pp. 120-1, entry for "Iddhi" at [1] (retrieved 2008-02-07).
- ^ E.g., see Bodhi (2000), pp. 1718-49; and, Thanissaro (1997). Bodhi (2000), p. 1939, n. 246 notes that the post-canonical Pali commentaries state that this compound term could be translated as either "base for spiritual power" or "base which is spiritual power."
- ^ For a discussion of Buddhist means for developing wholesome qualities and removing unwholesome qualities, see, for instance, the Four Right Exertions.