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or Jhana,1 the popular simile was that of a clever 'potter making pots of any shape out of properly prepared clay 2.
Thus the Yoga practice and miracle went together. In popular estimation the greater the psychic power, the superior was the Master. Just as the wrestlers in an arena measured their strength with each other, so did the ascetics, and the contest was eagerly witnessed by the people. The Savatthi miracle performed by the Buddha was intended to establish his superiority over the rest of the competitors in the field of psychic power. The question with the people who thronged to witness the performance waswho is the greater Yogi, the Buddha or the Tilthiyas?" The Ajivikas claimed their third Titthankara, Gogala, as one of the three greatest Avadhutas in history. The Jainas proclaimed that their last Titthankara, Mahavira, was the all-knowing and all-seeing Master, possessed of an infinite knowledge. They further declared that in all postures of his body, the supreme knowledge and vision (ñanadassanam) were always present, with him. Similarly the
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1 Keith, Buddhist Philosophy, pp. 30, 42, 43, 90, 119, etc.; Law, Concepts of Buddhism, Chap. VI.
20 Digha, i, p. 78f.; Dial. B., op. cit., p. 88f.
3 Jātaka, iv, p. 264f.; Mahāvastu, iii, p. 116.
Anguttara, ili, p. 384; Sumangalavilasini, i, p. 162.
5 Majjhima, i, p. 92f.; Law, Mahāvīra, p. 43.
