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Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names • G.P. Malalasekera


Page last updated on 8 October, 2020

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Gandhāra° Gandhārī-vijjā

A charm whereby one could become invisible and multiform, pass through all obstacles, through earth and water, and touch the sun and moon (D.i.213). Elsewhere (J.iv.498) the charm is mentioned as being only useful for the purpose of making oneself invisible.

The Theragāthā Commentary (I.51 f) distinguishes a Lesser and a Greater. Piliṇḍivaccha knew the former and thought that the Buddha would teach him the other. The charm enabled him to travel through the air and read the thoughts of others.

Buddhaghosa (DA ii.389) explains that the charm was so called, either because it was invented by a sage named Gandhāra, or because it originated in Gandhāra.