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I know that Buddhists practice compassionate mediation by wishing to free first their loved ones from suffering, than their friends and than the people they have trouble with. Is this only for the individual practicing or can the practice actually reach the object too? (ie. friend)

ps: There is recent scientific evidence for ESP or telepathic communication but did the Buddhists monks know this whole time? thanks.

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It is a well known super power attained by advanced meditators. You can find references to such powers in the stories of the Buddha, and in biographies of well known monks.

Kevatta Sutta:

"Kevatta, there are these three miracles that I have declared, having directly known and realized them for myself. Which three? The miracle of psychic power, the miracle of telepathy, and the miracle of instruction.

In the Theravada tradition the Visuddhimagga is well known for speaking directly about mastering the occult powers, and in the Madhiyamika tradition (Tibet) the path of the Bodhisattva requires learning to see into the minds of others so they can be helped.

Accounts from recent times, such as the biography of Ven. Acharya Mun Bhuridatta Thera include incidents where he communicated with other monks living elsewhere.

Ajahn Chah's telepathic powers: https://youtu.be/mPIJhO8ipgs

The Buddha forbade speaking about or giving importance to powers with good reason, so in general accounts are not first person, but third person where a monk (usually) talks about witnessing another's powers.

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  • I've seen other powers mentioned, but I've never seen telepathy.
    – user5380
    Commented Jul 1, 2015 at 15:18
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    Telepathy is one of the more common powers actually -the Buddha explicitly talks about it in Kevatta sutta - accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.11.0.than.html
    – Buddho
    Commented Jul 1, 2015 at 15:32
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    Once, while the venerable Anuruddha was meditating in solitude, he considered how, by means of the four Foundations of Mindfulness (satipatthana) the Noble Path that leads to the extinction of suffering can be perfected. Then Moggallana, penetrating Anuruddha's mind by his own, appeared before him through supernormal power and requested him to describe in detail this method of practice (Samy. 52, 1-2). chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php/…
    – Buddho
    Commented Jul 1, 2015 at 15:57
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    Oh ok thank you for the new information @Buddho :)
    – user5380
    Commented Jul 1, 2015 at 16:48
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    Oh thanks @Buddho :D that was a really helpful reply :) I'm going to check out Ajahn Chah's telepathic powers video now Regards
    – user5286
    Commented Jul 2, 2015 at 2:26

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