349. Q. What historical incident supports the modern theory of hypnotic suggestion?
A. That of Chullapanthaka, as told in the Pālī Commentary on the Dhammapada, etc.
350. Q. Give me the facts.
A. He was a bhikkhu who became an Arhat. On that very day the Buddha sent a messenger to call him. When the man reached the Vihāra, he saw three hundred bhikkhus in one group, each exactly like the others in every respect. On his asking which was Chullapanthaka, every one of the three hundred figures replied: "I am Chullapanthaka."
351. Q. What did the messenger do?
A. In his confusion he returned and reported to the Buddha.
352. Q. What did the Buddha then tell him?
A. To return to the vihāra and, if the same thing happened, to catch by the arm the first figure who said he was Chullapanthaka and lead him to him. The Buddha knew that the new Arhat would make this display of his acquired power to impress illusionary pictures of himself upon the messenger.
353. Q. What is this power of illusion called in Pālī?
A. Manomaya Iddhī.