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Significance of Walking on water

Walking on water is understood differently in Mahayana and Theravada traditions. In Mahayana, it signifies a supernormal ability to move over water surfaces. Theravada interprets it as a miraculous skill achieved through advanced concentration, particularly after reaching the Fourth Jhana, and also refers to a chapter focusing on the Earth Device in meditation. Both traditions highlight the extraordinary nature of this ability within their respective contexts of spiritual practice and concentration.

Synonyms: Miraculous feat, Extraordinary ability, Supernatural act, Divine intervention

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Walking on water'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, "Walking on water" signifies supernormal abilities gained through advanced meditation, particularly after attaining the Fourth Jhana, emphasizing high-level concentration and its importance in meditative practices.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma

(1) A title of a chapter discussing the Earth Device, highlighting its significance in the meditative practices.[1] (2) A miraculous ability associated with high-level concentration, allowing one to walk on the surface of water.[2] (3) An extraordinary ability that can be attained after reaching the Fourth Jhana through concentration on the element of Earth.[3]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The supernormal ability to traverse bodily over water surfaces.[4]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.