“Bhikkhus, whoever in the past bhikkhus have, through the wearing away of the |mental defilements::mental outflows, discharges, taints [āsava]|, attained the taint-free release of mind and release by wisdom, realizing it with direct knowing in this very life and having attained it, abided therein, all of them did so through the development and frequent practice of the four |bases of psychic abilities::bases for spiritual power [iddhipādā]|. Bhikkhus, whoever in the future bhikkhus will, through the wearing away of the mental defilements, attain the taint-free release of mind and release by wisdom, realizing it with direct knowing in this very life and having attained it, will abide therein, all of them will do so through the development and frequent practice of the four bases of psychic abilities. Bhikkhus, whoever at present bhikkhus are, through the wearing away of the mental defilements, attaining the taint-free release of mind and release by wisdom, realizing it with direct knowing in this very life and having attained it, are abiding therein, all of them are doing so through the development and frequent practice of the four bases of psychic abilities.
What four?
Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic ability that is endowed with |collectedness::stability of mind, stillness of mind, mental composure [samādhi]| arising from |aspiration::a goal, an interest, an objective, i.e. a wholesome motivation [chanda]| and accompanied by intentional effort. He develops the basis of psychic ability that is endowed with collectedness arising from |determination::will power, energy [vīriya]| and accompanied by intentional effort. He develops the basis of psychic ability that is endowed with collectedness arising from |[purification of] mind::purification of heart [citta]| and accompanied by intentional effort. And he develops the basis of psychic ability that is endowed with collectedness arising from |investigation::consideration, reflection, and examination [vīmaṃsā]| and accompanied by intentional effort.
Bhikkhus, whoever in the past bhikkhus have, through the wearing away of the mental defilements, attained the taint-free release of mind and release by wisdom, realizing it with direct knowing in this very life and having attained it, abided therein, all of them did so through the development and frequent practice of these very four bases of psychic abilities. Bhikkhus, whoever in the future bhikkhus will, through the wearing away of the mental defilements, attain the taint-free release of mind and release by wisdom, realizing it with direct knowing in this very life and having attained it, will abide therein, all of them will do so through the development and frequent practice of these very four bases of psychic abilities. Bhikkhus, whoever at present bhikkhus are, through the wearing away of the mental defilements, attaining the taint-free release of mind and release by wisdom, realizing it with direct knowing in this very life and having attained it, are abiding therein, all of them are doing so through the development and frequent practice of these very four bases of psychic abilities.”