There are seven factors of Enlightenment. These seven factors of enlightenment are mental conditions that come together at the moment of illumination. They are separately treated so that we may study each in more detail and apply it according to circumstances. Much has been written on these elsewhere and here, we shall mention the conditions given in the Satipatthana commentary.
1. Mindfulness Factor of Enlightenment (Sati Sambojjhanga)
This is right mindfulness of the Noble Eightfold Path, ie of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. It is also the mindfulness of things as they really are in insight meditation. As it is the most important factor here, there is little wonder why it is mentioned first.
The four conditions that lead to the arising of this factor are:
- To engage in the practice of mindfulness with clear comprehension as indicated in the Satipatthana Sutta
- Avoiding persons with confused (unmindful) minds
- Associating with persons who are ever mindful
- Inclination (of one’s mind, which may be through understanding and will-power) towards the development of mindfulness enlightenment factor.
2. Investigation of Truth Factor of Enlightenment (Dhamma Vicaya Sambojjhanga)
This is the penetrative aspect of the wisdom that seeks to understand the nature of phenomena.
The conditions for its arising are:—
- Inquiring about the aggregates and so on
- Purification of the (physical) basis (ie cleanliness)
- Imparting evenness to the spiritual faculties (for insight)
- Avoiding the ignorant
- Associating with the wise
- Reflection on the profound differences of the hard to perceive processes (of mind and matter)
- Inclination towards the development of the investigation of truth factor of enlightenment
3. Energy Factor of Enlightenment (Viriya Sambojjanga)
This is the Right Effort of the Noble Eightfold Path. It is also the energy used in the striving in insight meditation.
The eleven conditions that lead to its arising are:
- Reflection on the fearfulness of woeful states (or rebirth)
- Reflection on the benefits of energy
- Reflection that the path trodden by enlightened ones is not for the indolent.
- Honouring of alms (and other requisites)
- Reflection that the great heritage (of seven treasures) is not for the slothful
- Reflection on greatness of master (thinking, “is one befitting to be a disciple?”)
- Reflection on greatness of race (of the Buddha and oneself as one’s son)
- Reflection on greatness of fellows in holy life (eg Sariputta and Mogallana)
- Avoiding lazy folks
- Associating with diligent folks
- Inclination towards the development of the energy factor of enlightenment.
4. Joy Factor of Enlightenment (Piti Sambojjhanga)
This is the joy that occurs in insight meditation. Its close association with faith serves to arouse the energy for practice whilst its connection as a factor of absorption (jhana) encourages the development of concentration. The factor can be aroused by:
- Recollection of the Buddha (qualities)
- Recollection of the Buddha (qualities)
- Recollection of the Dhamma (qualities)
- Recollection of the Sangha (qualities)
- Recollection of one’s (good) morals
- Recollection of one’s (unselfish) generosity
- Recollection of the devas (good qualities also present in one)
- Recollection of the peace (of Nibbana)
- Avoid coarse folk (devoid of faith)
- Associating with refined folk (full of faith)
- Reflection on discourses inspiring confidence
- Inclination towards the development of the joy factor of enlightenment
5 Calm Factor of Enlightenment (Passadhi Sambojjhanga)
This refers to the quietness or peacefulness of mind and mental factors. Seven things lead to its arousing:
- Resorting to fine (ie beneficial and suitable) food
- Resorting to comfortable weather (ie beneficial and suitable one)
- Resorting to comfortable posture (ie beneficial and suitable one)
- Judgement according to the middle-way ie reflection on kamma and its result
- Avoiding restless people
- Associating with calm people
- Inclination towards the development of the calm factor of enlightenment.
6 Concentration Factor of Enlightenment (Samadhi Sambojjhanga)
Concentration is the profitable unification of the mind with the object. In this case, it would directly mean that insight meditation, where it is momentary (at mundane levels) and its object, exhibit the three universal characteristics of existence.
The eleven conditions that lead to its arising are:—
- Purification of basis
- Imparting evenness to the spiritual faculties
- Skill in taking up the sign (object) of meditation
- Inciting the mind on occasion (of laxity)
- Restraining the mind on occasion (of excessive energy)
- Gladdening the mind on occasion (of dissatisfaction)
- Regarding the mind without interference on occasion (of evenly balanced faculties).
- Avoiding people who are not collected
- Associating with people who are collected
- Reflection (on benefits) of the absorptions and emancipation
- Inclination towards the development of the enlightenment factor of concentration.
7 Equanimity Factor of Enlightenment (Upekkha Sambojjhanga)
The equanimity here is the balanced state of mind that comes about through abundant mindfulness of things as they really are. Conditions that lead to its arising:
- Detached attitude towards beings
- Detached attitude towards things
- Avoiding people who are egotistical with regards to beings and things
- Associating with people who are detached towards beings and things
- Inclination towards the development of the equanimity factor of enlightenment.
