Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

selfish ideal, but when one looks around for
noble-hearted and compassionate bodhisattvas these
appear to be few. Indeed, many teachers trumpeted as
great by their followers (or even by themselves) have
not even a small part of the nobility of the venerable
arhats of the Hinayana. I do not see such noble ones as
these among so many "bodhisattvas."
Just as we may judge others' minds by what they reveal
in their daily actions, so we may judge ourselves, seeing
the change in our own minds, and this will give us iron
proof of the state of our realization.
c. Transformation of the Physical Body. After the
transformations in philosophy and psychology comes
consideration of physical transformation. Even as a
result of Hinayana meditations, we know that before he
or she passes away, an arhat may exhibit eighteen forms
of supernormal power, effecting wonderful bodily
changes. The body must change along with the other
constituents of the person. Progress in meditation is
sometimes judged by the extent to which one has the
ability to effect bodily changes at will. Thus, at first one
may only be able to cure or to ward off minor diseases;
with greater practice the body may become much
stronger, and ability in old age to transform it into a
youthful condition shows even greater powers. However,
be warned of judging realization by such abilities, for
non-Buddhists may also do such things.
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