The difference between spiritual power and miraculous power lies in the fact that spiritual power is based on wisdom and its purpose is to help others and support the spiritual path, not to create negative karma by relying on evil spirits or deceitful schemes:
“Evil sects plot cleverly and secretly,
Try to avoid them lest you should suffer.
They descend to admonish in many places,
Using miraculous powers to deceive sentient beings.
Those who crave miracles practice their methods,
Will fall into hell, wasting their lives.”
(Awakening Vol IV)
As for miraculous power, it is the power of ordinary people, exploiting the gullibility of others to build a reputation and accumulate vast wealth to show off to the world. These people will be seduced by evil spirits, quickly forgetting themselves and committing violent acts without realizing it.
Evil sects appear in many places and create many theories to tempt people. Furthermore, they also concoct schemes such as practicing magic, possessing bodies, bestowing titles and names, divining minds, etc. If anyone is greedy for spiritual guidance or still clings to worldly gain and fame, and follows their teachings, they are like birds caught in a trap; there is no hope of escaping suffering.
Falling into traps: Tools used to lure animals into their traps. Here, it refers to heretical sects or fake practitioners who often use various clever tricks, or magic spells, etc., to deceive people into blindly believing them, ultimately causing harm to both master and disciple. CGSG (TT)
