20120721 cultivate 7 factors for enlighenment

Updated Mar 2010

加拿大佛教會湛山精舍　

禪修學佛入門 Introduction to

Buddhism and Meditation2012/07/21

Buddhist Association of CanadaCham Shan Temple

Updated Mar 2010

Buddhist Association of CanadaCham Shan Temple

ná mó fó tuó南無佛陀

Namo Buddha

ná mó dá mó 南無達摩

Namo Dharma

ná mó sēng qié南無僧伽

Namo Sangha

加拿大佛教會 © 2006 Buddhist Association of Canada

Buddhist Association of Canada

Cultivating the Seven Factors of Enlightenment

Vipassana Meditation



The first factor is the right mindfulness of the Noble Eightfold Path (the Four Foundations of Mindfulness). It is also the mindfulness of things as they really are in insight meditation.

The four conditions that lead to the arising of this factor are:

Engaging in the practice of mindfulness with clear comprehension.Avoiding persons with confused (unmindful) minds.Associating with persons who are ever mindful.Inclination towards the development of mindfulness factor of

enlightenment.

Mindfulness Factor of Enlightenment (Sati 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 and mental basis Imparting evenness to the spiritual faculties (for insight) Avoiding the ignorant and 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

Investigation of Truth Factor of Enlightenment (Dhamma Vicaya Sambojjhanga)



This is the Right Effort of the Noble Eightfold Path. It is also the energy used in the striving in insight meditation. The ten conditions that lead to its arising are:

1 Reflection on the fearfulness of woeful states (or rebirth)2 Reflection on the benefits of energy 3 Reflection that the path trodden by enlightened ones is not for the indolent.4 Honouring of alms (and other requisites)5 Reflection that the great heritage (of seven treasures) is not for the slothful6 Reflection on greatness of master 7 Reflection on greatness of human race and yourself8 Reflection on greatness of fellows in holy life 9 Avoiding lazy folks and associating with diligent folks10 Inclination towards the development of the energy factor of enlightenment.

Energy Factor of Enlightenment (Viriya Sambojjanga)



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 factors can be aroused by:

Recollection of the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha (qualities)Recollection of one’s (good) morals, one’s (unselfish) generosityRecollection of the devas (qualities)Recollection of the peace (of Nibbana)Avoiding coarse folk (devoid of faith) and associating with refined folk Reflection on discourses inspiring confidenceInclination towards the development of the joy factor of enlightenment

Joy Factor of Enlightenment (Piti Sambojjhanga)



This refers to the quietness or peacefulness of mind and mental factors. Six things lead to its arousing:

1 Resorting to fine (ie beneficial and suitable) food2 Resorting to comfortable weather (ie beneficial and suitable one)3 Resorting to comfortable posture (ie beneficial and suitable one)4 Judgment according to the middle-way ie reflection on kamma and

its result5 Avoiding restless people and associating with calm people6 Inclination towards the development of the calm factor of

enlightenment.

Calm Factor of Enlightenment (Passadhi 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:—

1 Purification of physical and mental basis2 Imparting evenness to the spiritual faculties3 Skill in taking up the sign (object) of meditation4 Inciting the mind on occasion (of laxity)5 Restraining the mind on occasion (of excessive energy)6 Gladdening the mind on occasion (of dissatisfaction)

Concentration Factor of Enlightenment(Samadhi Sambojjhanga)



7 Regarding the mind without interference on occasion (of evenly balanced faculties).

8 Avoiding people who are not collected9 Associating with people who are collected10 Reflection (on benefits) of the absorptions and emancipation解脫11 Inclination towards the development of the enlightenment factor

of concentration.

Concentration Factor of Enlightenment(Samadhi 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 beingsDetached attitude towards thingsAvoiding people who are egotistical with regards to beings and

thingsAssociating with people who are detached towards beings and

thingsInclination towards the development of the equanimity factor of

enlightenment.

Equanimity Factor of Enlightenment (Upekkha Sambojjhanga)



www.ChamShanTemple.orgTom Cheung 張相棠Dennis A. Yap 葉普智Kam Cheung 張仁勤

Questions and Comments 討論



yuàn xiāo sān zhàng zhū fán năo

願消三障諸煩惱We wish to rid ourselves of the three hindrances and all klesas.

yuàn dé zhì huì zhēn míng lĭao

願得智慧真明了We wish to gain wisdom and real understanding.

pŭ yuàn zuì zhàng xī xiāo chú

普願罪障悉消除 We wish all sinful hindrances to be totally eradicated.

shì shì cháng xíng pú sà dào

世世常行菩薩道In one life after another we always follow Bodhisattvas’ paths.

回向Parinamana (Transfer of Merit)

20120721 cultivate 7 factors for enlighenment

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