A magical illusion created by a conjurer or illusionist, or the power to create such an illusion. In the context of Buddhist literature, this is not considered to be a sleight of hand or visual trick but the actual appearance of something, such as an elephant or palace, created by magical means. Although this sort of magical illusion appears, it is unreal in the sense that there is no substantial basis for it beyond its magical appearance. In the Mahāyāna in particular, this sort of illusion (māyā created by magical means) is given as one example of how phenomena are empty and yet vividly appear; it is included in several lists of analogies for phenomena’s illusory nature.The Prophecy for Bhadra the Illusionist uniquely describes the Buddha’s miraculous powers in comparison to the powers of Bhadra the illusionist, also describing the Buddha’s power with the term māyā; however, it is declared (UT22084-043-002-119) that the Buddha’s māyā is superior to Bhadra’s, which is limited and incomplete.Also translated as “power of illusion.”

Also translated here as “illusion.”