Difference between revisions of "Seven Factors of Enlightenment"
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[[File:Ma-buddha.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Ma-buddha.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | In Buddhism, the '''Seven Factors of | + | In [[Buddhism]], the '''[[Seven Factors of Enlightenment]]''' (Pali: ''[[satta bojjhaṅgā]]'' or ''[[satta sambojjhaṅgā]]''; [[Sanskrit|Skt.]]: ''[[Sapta bodhyanga]]'') are: |
* '''[[Mindfulness]]''' (''[[mindfulness|sati]]'') i.e. to remember the [[Dhamma]]. | * '''[[Mindfulness]]''' (''[[mindfulness|sati]]'') i.e. to remember the [[Dhamma]]. | ||
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* '''Joy''' or '''rapture''' (''[[Pīti]]'') | * '''Joy''' or '''rapture''' (''[[Pīti]]'') | ||
| − | * '''Relaxation''' or '''tranquility''' (''[[Passaddhi]]'') of both body and mind | + | * '''Relaxation''' or '''[[tranquility]]''' (''[[Passaddhi]]'') of both body and [[mind]] |
| − | * '''Concentration''' (''[[Samādhi]]'') a calm, one-pointed state of concentration of mind | + | * '''[[Concentration]]''' (''[[Samādhi]]'') a calm, one-pointed state of concentration of [[mind]] |
| − | * '''Equanimity''' (''[[Upekkha]]''), to be able to face life in all its vicissitudes with calm of mind and tranquility, without disturbance, with dispassion and detachment. | + | * '''Equanimity''' (''[[Upekkha]]''), to be able to face life in all its vicissitudes with calm of mind and [[tranquility]], without disturbance, with dispassion and {{Wiki|detachment}}. |
| − | This set of | + | This set of [[seven Enlightenment factors]] is one of the "Seven Sets" of "[[Enlightenment]]-related states" (''[[Bodhipakkhiyadhamma]]''). |
| − | The Pali word ''bojjhanga'' is a compound of ''[[Bodhi]]'' ("[[Enlightenment]]") and ''anga'' ("factor"). | + | The Pali word ''[[bojjhanga]]'' is a compound of ''[[Bodhi]]'' ("[[Enlightenment]]") and ''[[anga]]'' ("factor"). |
==Pali literature== | ==Pali literature== | ||
| − | In the [[Sutta]] | + | In the [[Sutta Pitaka]]'s [[Samyutta Nikaya]], the [[bojjhangas]] refer to wholesome, mundane factors ''leading to'' [[Enlightenment]]. In the [[Abhidhamma]] and [[Pali literature|Pali commentaries]], the [[bojjhangas]] tend to refer to supramundane factors ''concurrent with'' [[Enlightenment]]. |
| − | ===[[Sutta]] | + | ===[[Sutta Pitaka]]=== |
| − | According to one discourse in the | + | According to one discourse in the [[Samyutta Nikaya]] entitled "[[Bhikkhu Sutta]]" ([[Samyutta Nikaya|SN]] 46.5): |
:[Bhikkhu:] "[[Venerable]] sir, it is said, 'factors of [[Enlightenment]], factors of [[Enlightenment]].' In what sense are they called factors of [[Enlightenment]]?" | :[Bhikkhu:] "[[Venerable]] sir, it is said, 'factors of [[Enlightenment]], factors of [[Enlightenment]].' In what sense are they called factors of [[Enlightenment]]?" | ||
:[Buddha:] "They lead to [[Enlightenment]], [[Bhikkhu]], therefore they are called factors of [[Enlightenment]]...." | :[Buddha:] "They lead to [[Enlightenment]], [[Bhikkhu]], therefore they are called factors of [[Enlightenment]]...." | ||
| − | During meditation, one may contemplate the seven Factors of | + | During [[meditation]], one may contemplate the [[seven Factors of Enlightenment]] as well as on their {{Wiki|antithesis}}, the Five Hindrances (sensual pleasure, ill-will, sloth-torpor, restlessness-worry, doubt). In addition, one [[Samyutta Nikaya Sutta]] identifies developing each of the [[enlightenment]] factors accompanied by each of the four [[brahma viharas]] ([[loving kindness]], [[compassion]], sympathetic joy, equanimity). |
| − | In the | + | In the [[Samyutta Nikaya]]'s "Fire Discourse," [[The Buddha]] identifies that [[Mindfulness]] is "always useful" ([[sabbatthika]]); while, when one's mind is sluggish, one should develop the [[enlightenment]] factors of investigation, energy and joy; and, when one's [[mind]] is excited, one should develop the [[enlightenment]] factors of [[tranquility]], {{Wiki|concentration}} and {{Wiki|equanimity}}. |
| − | Again according to the | + | Again according to the [[Samyutta Nikaya]], once when [[The Buddha]] was gravely ill he asked [[Venerable]] [[Mahacunda]] to recite the seven [[[Factors of Enlightenment]] to him. In such a way [[The Buddha]] was cured of his illness. |
=== [[Abhidhamma]] and commentarial literature === | === [[Abhidhamma]] and commentarial literature === | ||
| − | In the Visuddhimagga, in a section discussing skills needed for the attainment and maintenance of absorption ([[Jhana]]), [[Buddhaghosa]] identifies the bojjhangas in the following fashion: | + | In the [[Visuddhimagga]], in a section discussing skills needed for the attainment and maintenance of absorption ([[Jhana]]), [[Buddhaghosa]] identifies the [[bojjhangas]] in the following fashion: |
* "Strong [[Mindfulness]] ... is needed in all instances...." | * "Strong [[Mindfulness]] ... is needed in all instances...." | ||
| − | * "When his mind is slack with over-laxness of energy, etc., then ... he should develop those [three enlightenment factors] beginning with investigation-of-states..." (i.e., [[Dhamma vicaya]], [[Viriya]], piti). | + | * "When his [[mind]] is slack with over-laxness of energy, etc., then ... he should develop those [three enlightenment factors] beginning with investigation-of-states..." (i.e., [[Dhamma vicaya]], [[Viriya]], [[piti]]). |
| − | * "When his mind is agitated through over-energeticness, etc., then ... he should develop those [three enlightenment factors] beginning with tranquility..." (i.e., [[Passaddhi]], [[Samadhi]], [[Upekkha]]). | + | * "When his [[mind]] is agitated through over-energeticness, etc., then ... he should develop those [three enlightenment factors] beginning with {{Wiki|tranquility}}..." (i.e., [[Passaddhi]], [[Samadhi]], [[Upekkha]]). |
| − | == Meditation == | + | == [[Meditation]] == |
<table cellpadding="3pt" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;margin-left:6pt"> | <table cellpadding="3pt" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;margin-left:6pt"> | ||
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| − | * [[Mindfulness]] (''sati'') | + | * [[Mindfulness]] (''[[sati]]'') |
</td> | </td> | ||
<td style="border:0; border-right:1px solid black; font-family:'Times New Roman',serif; text-align:center"> | <td style="border:0; border-right:1px solid black; font-family:'Times New Roman',serif; text-align:center"> | ||
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| − | In Meditation everyone most likely experiences two of the five hindrances (Pāli: pañca nīvaraṇāni). They are sloth and torpor (Pāli: [[Thīna-middha]]), which is half-hearted action with little or no collectedness and restlessness and worry ([[Uddhacca | + | In [[Meditation]] everyone most likely experiences two of the five hindrances (Pāli: [[pañca nīvaraṇāni]]). They are sloth and torpor (Pāli: [[Thīna-middha]]), which is half-hearted action with little or no collectedness and restlessness and worry ([[Uddhacca-Kukkucca]]), which is the inability to calm the [[mind]]. |
| − | As indicated above, in the "Fire Discourse" (SN 46.53), it is recommended that joy or rapture, investigation, and energy are to be developed when experiencing sloth and torpor. Relaxation, concentration, and equanimity are to be developed when experiencing restlessness or worry. [[Mindfulness]] should be constantly present to remain aware of physical change as well as mental change in either skillful or unskillful direction. | + | As indicated above, in the "Fire Discourse" (SN 46.53), it is recommended that joy or rapture, investigation, and energy are to be developed when experiencing sloth and torpor. {{Wiki|Relaxation}}, {{Wiki|concentration}}, and {{Wiki|equanimity}} are to be developed when experiencing restlessness or worry. [[Mindfulness]] should be constantly present to remain aware of physical change as well as [[mental]] change in either skillful or unskillful direction. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
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[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist philosophical concepts]] | [[Category:Buddhist philosophical concepts]] | ||
| − | + | ||
[[Category:Enlightenment]] | [[Category:Enlightenment]] | ||
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Revision as of 00:13, 18 July 2013
In Buddhism, the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Pali: satta bojjhaṅgā or satta sambojjhaṅgā; Skt.: Sapta bodhyanga) are:
- Mindfulness (sati) i.e. to remember the Dhamma.
- Investigation (Dhamma vicaya) of the Dhamma.
- Energy (viriya)
- Joy or rapture (Pīti)
- Relaxation or tranquility (Passaddhi) of both body and mind
- Concentration (Samādhi) a calm, one-pointed state of concentration of mind
- Equanimity (Upekkha), to be able to face life in all its vicissitudes with calm of mind and tranquility, without disturbance, with dispassion and detachment.
This set of seven Enlightenment factors is one of the "Seven Sets" of "Enlightenment-related states" (Bodhipakkhiyadhamma).
The Pali word bojjhanga is a compound of Bodhi ("Enlightenment") and anga ("factor").
Pali literature
In the Sutta Pitaka's Samyutta Nikaya, the bojjhangas refer to wholesome, mundane factors leading to Enlightenment. In the Abhidhamma and Pali commentaries, the bojjhangas tend to refer to supramundane factors concurrent with Enlightenment.
Sutta Pitaka
According to one discourse in the Samyutta Nikaya entitled "Bhikkhu Sutta" (SN 46.5):
- [Bhikkhu:] "Venerable sir, it is said, 'factors of Enlightenment, factors of Enlightenment.' In what sense are they called factors of Enlightenment?"
- [Buddha:] "They lead to Enlightenment, Bhikkhu, therefore they are called factors of Enlightenment...."
During meditation, one may contemplate the seven Factors of Enlightenment as well as on their antithesis, the Five Hindrances (sensual pleasure, ill-will, sloth-torpor, restlessness-worry, doubt). In addition, one Samyutta Nikaya Sutta identifies developing each of the enlightenment factors accompanied by each of the four brahma viharas (loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, equanimity).
In the Samyutta Nikaya's "Fire Discourse," The Buddha identifies that Mindfulness is "always useful" (sabbatthika); while, when one's mind is sluggish, one should develop the enlightenment factors of investigation, energy and joy; and, when one's mind is excited, one should develop the enlightenment factors of tranquility, concentration and equanimity.
Again according to the Samyutta Nikaya, once when The Buddha was gravely ill he asked Venerable Mahacunda to recite the seven [[[Factors of Enlightenment]] to him. In such a way The Buddha was cured of his illness.
Abhidhamma and commentarial literature
In the Visuddhimagga, in a section discussing skills needed for the attainment and maintenance of absorption (Jhana), Buddhaghosa identifies the bojjhangas in the following fashion:
- "Strong Mindfulness ... is needed in all instances...."
- "When his mind is slack with over-laxness of energy, etc., then ... he should develop those [three enlightenment factors] beginning with investigation-of-states..." (i.e., Dhamma vicaya, Viriya, piti).
- "When his mind is agitated through over-energeticness, etc., then ... he should develop those [three enlightenment factors] beginning with tranquility..." (i.e., Passaddhi, Samadhi, Upekkha).
Meditation
| Balancing Enlightenment factors & hindrances | |
|
to be used when experiencing |
|
the balancing factor |
|
|
to be used when experiencing |
|
In Meditation everyone most likely experiences two of the five hindrances (Pāli: pañca nīvaraṇāni). They are sloth and torpor (Pāli: Thīna-middha), which is half-hearted action with little or no collectedness and restlessness and worry (Uddhacca-Kukkucca), which is the inability to calm the mind.
As indicated above, in the "Fire Discourse" (SN 46.53), it is recommended that joy or rapture, investigation, and energy are to be developed when experiencing sloth and torpor. Relaxation, concentration, and equanimity are to be developed when experiencing restlessness or worry. Mindfulness should be constantly present to remain aware of physical change as well as mental change in either skillful or unskillful direction.
