Dear Thomas,

< Having read these texts, it is still hard to understand how the
individual can actually control the heat or fire element within his
body, up to the ability of burning the entire body up by himself
(such as in Udana 8. 9: PTS, pp. 92-3) >

The Udana story is about Dabba Mallaputta. He was known for his magical
control over the fire element. The fact that he is sitting crosslegged in
the air does not imply meditation at all, nor that he is practicing the
tejokasi.na, and it is certainly not the fire within himself he controls,
but the fire element that is baahira. The term tejodhaatu.m samaapajjitvaa
only refers to the fact that he enters and becomes one with the fire
element. The story, as I have mentioned before, illustrates some paradoxes
concerning nibbaana. You might want to have a look into the amusing legends
about Dabba and his magical powers in Vin III 160: he could, for instance,
conjure up light when needed, and used a blazing finger as a lantern, and so
on.

Regards,

Ole Pind


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