Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

3.7.9  Perfecting the Seven Factors of Enlightenment¹

In this way, Bhikkhus, by development and and the complete cultivation of ānāpānassati the four satipaṭṭhānas get perfected. And how, Bhikkhus, by such development and cultivation of the four satipaṭṭhānas do the seven bojjhaṅgas get fulfilled?

When, Bhikkhus, the Bhikkhu dwells in this way observing body in body, ardent with awareness and constant thorough understanding of impermanence, detached, without clinging towards anything in the world, on that occasion, continuous awareness gets established within him. Whenever, Bhikkhus, continuous awareness gets established within him, then on that occasion the satisambojjhaṅga is aroused. Then on that occasion the Bhikkhu develops satisambojjhaṅga.  And then on that occasion the satisambojjhaṅgo to reach fulfilment.

Then on that occasion, dwelling thus, he reflects on that state with wisdom, examines it thoroughly and investigates it. When, Bhikkhus, the Bhikkhu reflects on that state with wisdom, examines it thoroughly and investigates it, on that occasion dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga gets firmly established within him and on that occasion he develops dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga. When he develops dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga, on that occasion dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga comes to fulfilment in him.

While reflecting on that state with wisdom, examining thoroughly and investigating he applies resolved and with unshakable energy. When, Bhikkhus, the Bhikkhu reflecting that state with wisdom, examining thoroughly and investigating he applies resolved and with unshakable energy, then on that occasion vīriyasambojjhaṅga gets firmly established within him. Then on that occasion he develops vīriyasambojjhaṅga. When he develops vīriyasambojjhaṅga on that occasion vīriyasambojjhaṅga comes to fulfilment in him.

With resolved and unshakable energy bliss that is free from defilements arises. When, Bhikkhus, for a Bhikkhu, because of resolved and unshakable energy bliss, free from defilements arises, then pītisambojjhaṅga gets originated. On that occasion he develops pītisambojjhaṅga. When he thus develops pītisambojjhaṅga on that occasion pītisambojjhaṅga comes to fulfilment in him.

With the arising of bliss the body gets tranquil and the mind gets serene. On that occasion, when with the arising of bliss the body gets tranquil and the mind gets serene, then On that occasion passaddhisambojjhaṅga gets originated. When he thus develops passaddhisambojjhaṅga on that occasion passaddhisambojjhaṅga comes to fulfilment in him.

With tranquil body and developed mental happiness the mind becomes concentrated. When on that occasion, Bhikkhus, for a Bhikkhu with tranquil body and developed mental happiness the mind becomes concentrated on that occasion samādhisambojjhaṅga gets originated. When he thus develops samādhisambojjhaṅga then on that occasion samādhisambojjhaṅga comes to fulfilment in him.

Thus with developed mental concentration one observes attentively and objectively. When on that occasion, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu with a thus concentrated mind remains fully attentive and objective then on that occasion upekkhāsambojjhaṅga gets originated. When he thus develops upekkhāsambojjhaṅga then on that occasion upekkhāsambojjhaṅga comes to fulfilment in him.

At the occasion when, Bhikkhus, the Bhikkhu dwells in this way observing sensation in sensation, … mind within mind… and mental contents within mental contents ardent with awareness and constant thorough understanding of impermanence, detached, without clinging towards anything in the world, on that occasion continuous awareness gets established within him.

At whatever time, Bhikkhus, incessant awareness gets established within him, on that occasion the satisambojjhaṅga is aroused. When the Bhikkhu develops satisambojjhaṅga then on that occasion the satisambojjhaṅgo comes to fulfilment in him.

On that occasion, dwelling thus, he reflects on that state with wisdom, examines thoroughly and investigates it. When, Bhikkhus, the Bhikkhu reflects on that state with wisdom, examines it thoroughly and investigates it, then on that occasion dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga gets firmly established within him. Then on that occasion he develops dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga. When he develops dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga, then on that occasion dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga comes to fulfilment in him.

While reflecting on that state with wisdom, examining it thoroughly and investigating he applies resolved and unshakable energy. When, Bhikkhus, the Bhikkhu reflecting on that state with wisdom, examining it thoroughly and investigating he applies resolved and unshakable energy then on that occasion vīriyasambojjhaṅga gets firmly established within him and he develops vīriyasambojjhaṅga. When he develops vīriyasambojjhaṅga on that occasion vīriyasambojjhaṅga comes to fulfilment in him.

With resolved and unshakable energy, bliss that is free from defilements arises. When, Bhikkhus, for a Bhikkhu, because of resolved and unshakable energy, bliss free from defilements arises, pītisambojjhaṅga gets originated and at that time he develops pītisambojjhaṅga. When he thus develops pītisambojjhaṅga on that occasion pītisambojjhaṅga comes to fulfilment in him.

With the arising of bliss the body gets tranquil and the mind gets serene. On that occasion, when with the arising of bliss the body gets tranquil and the mind gets serene passaddhisambojjhaṅga gets originated. When he thus develops passaddhisambojjhaṅga on that occasion passaddhisambojjhaṅga comes to fulfilment in him.

With tranquil body and developed mental happiness the mind becomes concentrated. Then on that occasion, Bhikkhus, for a Bhikkhu with tranquil body and developed mental happiness the mind becomes concentrated, and on that occasion samādhisambojjhaṅga gets originated. When he thus develops samādhisambojjhaṅga then on that occasion samādhisambojjhaṅga comes to fulfilment in him.

Thus with developed mental concentration one observes attentively and objectively. When on that occasion, Bhikkhus, when a Bhikkhu with a thus concentrated mind remains fully attentive and objective, then upekkhāsambojjhaṅga gets originated. When he thus develops upekkhāsambojjhaṅga on that occasion upekkhāsambojjhaṅga comes to fulfilment in him.

Thus, Bhikkhus, by such development and cultivation of the four satipaṭṭhānas the seven bojjhaṅgas do get fulfilled. And how, Bhikkhus, by such development and cultivation of the seven bojjhaṅgas does liberation through knowledge get developed?

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu, develops satisambojjhaṅga; he develops this dependent on seclusion, on dispassion, on cessation and dependent on maturity of relinquishment. He likewise develops dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga …; vīriyasambojjhaṅga …; pītisambojjhaṅga …; passaddhisambojjhaṅga …; samādhisambojjhaṅga …; and he develops upekkhāsambojjhaṅga; he develops this dependent on seclusion, on dispassion, on cessation and dependent on maturity of relinquishment.

In this way, Bhikkhus, by such development and cultivation of the seven bojjhaṅgas liberation through knowledge gets fulfilled?

Thus spoke the Bhagavā. Happy and delighted the Bhikkhus rejoiced in what the Bhagavā had said.

***