Modern scientists suggest there may be multidimensional spacetime. The world we perceive in our daily lives consists of three dimensions of space—length, width, and height—plus one dimension of time, forming what we call four-dimensional spacetime.
For most people, it is nearly impossible to imagine what multidimensional space could be like. Even scientists struggle to describe how such realms might appear.
Yet once, while I was reading a Buddhist sutra, I felt as though I glimpsed something of this mysterious idea.
In the Vimalakirti Sutra, it is recorded that Manjushri Bodhisattva led 8,000 bodhisattvas, five hundred arhats, and countless heavenly beings to visit the ailing lay master Vimalakirti.
Vimalakirti lived in a small chamber. He invited everyone to enter. Miraculously, they all went inside, but the room did not grow any larger. No one felt crowded or obstructed, and everyone saw Vimalakirti sitting directly before them.
Manjushri and Vimalakirti engaged in profound dialogue about the Dharma. Later, Vimalakirti displayed astonishing spiritual powers, bringing seats, exquisite foods, and treasures from distant worlds into that same room.
It was absolutely astonishing—like witnessing the seamless merging of multiple dimensions.
Throughout Buddhist history, many great masters have demonstrated abilities that seem to transcend space and time.
For example, there is the story of Milarepa, Tibet’s most renowned yogi. When he was welcoming his disciple Rechungpa back from India—where Rechungpa had traveled to collect scriptures—an incredible event took place.
Rechungpa carried the scriptures on his back as he crossed the vast grasslands. When he saw Milarepa waiting for him, he was overjoyed. Eagerly, he described how he had met the great master Tilopa. With visible pride, he declared:
“In the past, Tilopa did not transmit this Dharma to Master Marpa, but now he has passed it on to me!”
His words brimmed with arrogance.
As they walked together, Milarepa noticed a broken yak horn on the ground and asked Rechungpa to pick it up. Rechungpa couldn’t see the point and made excuses not to touch it. Silently, Milarepa bent down, picked it up himself, and carried it along.
Suddenly, the sky darkened. Thunder boomed, lightning flashed, and hailstones the size of eggs pounded them mercilessly. Rechungpa was battered and bruised.
When the storm finally ended, he looked around—Milarepa had vanished. Alarmed, he began calling out.
Then, Milarepa’s calm voice rose from the little yak horn at his feet:
“Why are you so flustered? Come in here and take shelter.”
Rechungpa stared in disbelief. The opening of the horn was barely larger than a fist. How could he possibly fit inside?
He bent down to look, and to his amazement, he saw an endless green meadow within—stretching as far as the eye could see. Milarepa sat serenely in meditation.
But no matter what he tried, Rechungpa could not enter.
In that instant, all his pride dissolved. Humility and awe took its place.
Milarepa finally emerged and said with a gentle smile, “Did you see? My little yak horn turned out to be quite useful after all.”
Even in our time, extraordinary manifestations still occur.
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has demonstrated countless inconceivable displays of supreme Buddha Dharma.
Ruzun Ruo Hui, the abbess of Hua Zang Si (in San Francisco) shared one remarkable example in Interviews with Buddhist Disciples (Episode 78).
Around 1995, about a dozen people were gathered together in a room, respectfully listening to the recorded Dharma discourse Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
Halfway through, the entire house vanished. All the walls and structures simply disappeared, and everyone found themselves sitting under the open sky.
Above them, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva appeared, standing in the air, radiating boundless light while auspicious clouds billowed around.
For nearly an hour, Avalokiteshvara remained visible, bestowing blessings. No sounds of the street—no passing cars or footsteps—could be heard. The only sound was the voice of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III expounding the Dharma.
It was clear that everyone present had entered another dimension altogether.
Moments like these show us that the universe is far more profound than what our senses can grasp.
I believe Buddhism is deeply scientific—not superstition. Just because today’s scientists cannot yet explain these phenomena does not mean they are unscientific.
On the contrary, Buddhist wisdom offers an entirely different lens through which to explore reality. It can inspire modern science to uncover new methods and fresh insights to understand the universe’s deepest mysteries.
If we open our hearts and minds, perhaps Buddhist teachings will one day help humanity discover shortcuts to truths that today seem unimaginable.
Peace LiLy 