The Four Imponderables (sutra)

Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson (eds.), Acintita Sutra: "Imponderables" (AN 4.77); Giphy; derived from unsatisfactory original translation by Ven. Thanissaro (watmetta.org), Wisdom Quarterly

Rodin's Le Penseur ("The Thinker," one of a series of similar sculptures involved in the similarly imponderable Mandela Effect) sits pensively as if on a porcelain throne (norton.org).

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My monkey mind only makes things worse.

"There are Four Imponderables on which it is wise not to dwell [1] as repeatedly doing so would bring about unhinged-madness and wearisome-vexation if one were to try. What are these four?

1. The range of influence of a buddha is imponderable... [2]
2. The range of influence of a person absorbed (jhana) in meditation… [3]
3. The [mysterious] working out of the results of karma... [4]
4. The origin [and so on] of the world is imponderable on which it is wise not to dwell as repeatedly doing so would bring about unhinged-madness and wearisome-vexation if one were to try.

"These are the Four Imponderables on which it is wise not to dwell as repeatedly doing so would bring about unhinged-madness and wearisome-vexation if one were to try."

NOTES

I feel if I just lived long enough and pondered...

1. Nor should they be speculated about because they are staggering, incomprehensible, and ultimately inconceivable]

2. Buddha-range: the range of powers a buddha develops as a result of becoming a supremely enlightened buddha, which is much more than an ordinary arhat (fully enlightened person) because arhats did not develop the Ten Perfections (paramis), so they do not possess the power to know all that a buddha know. Buddhas can teach effectively. They can establish a noble-sangha (community of enlightened disciples), and make the Dharma known in worlds darkened by ignorance. While everyone arhat's enlightenment and experience of nirvana is the same, their ability to make known the path is lacking. The ability to communicate the Dharma to others differs radically from individual to individual. There are countless arhats, shining ones (devas) and human beings, but precious few supreme (samma-sam) buddhas and pacceka (non-teaching) buddhas. Their range of influence is very great.

3. Jhana-range: the range of powers that one is able to manifest as a result of attaining and mastering the meditative absorptions (jhanas).

4. It should always be remembered that karma (intentional action of mind, speech, or body) is one thing, and its resultants (vipaka) and ripening fruits (phala) are quite another. Moreover, all actions impact how results are experienced, so there is hope no matter what one has done. More good now guarantees a better future, and the situation is never hopeless, even in the case of the five heinous acts. See the strange case of Angulimala the serial killer and saint. Even Buddhism's "Judas" figure, Devadatta, is not doomed forever, as his karma would suggest.