How is a Buddha able to do things beyond the laws of cause-and-effect? A Buddha/Bodhisattva is one who has Awakened and is free from some basic laws of the universe such as karma, reincarnation, the fetters, and various other afflictions.

In the sutras, such as the Surangama Sutra and Diamond Sutra, such Ones are also able to manifest many other effects -- well beyond beyond cause-and-effect, able to shape shift, squeeze thousands of beings into a small house, etc.

This is understandable considering that a One is already beyond cause-and-effect and thus would be able to manifest such things skillfully and according to needs.

So my question is... how is this possible?

According to my teacher, it is the transformation of the aggregates including form and volition... it is still within realm of cause-and-effect... a Buddha is not free from all laws of cause-and-effect.
I'd like to know what others know about this rather unimportant topic.
That sounds like it might be one of the Four Unconjecturables.


  "There are these four unconjecturables that are not to be conjectured about, that would bring madness &amp; vexation to anyone who conjectured about them. Which four?
  
  "The Buddha-range of the Buddhas[ 1 ] is an unconjecturable that is not to be conjectured about, that would bring madness &amp; vexation to anyone who conjectured about it.
  
  "The jhana-range of a person in jhana...[ 2 ]
  
  "The [precise working out of the] results of kamma...
  
  "Conjecture about [the origin, etc., of] the world is an unconjecturable that is not to be conjectured about, that would bring madness &amp; vexation to anyone who conjectured about it.
  
  "These are the four unconjecturables that are not to be conjectured about, that would bring madness &amp; vexation to anyone who conjectured about them."
  
  Notes
  
  1.
  I.e., the range of powers a Buddha develops as a result of becoming a Buddha.
  
  2.
  I.e., the range of powers that one may obtain while absorbed in jhana.


But that is an interesting question. :)