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The Seven Factors of Awakening
The Thirty-Seven Wings of Enlightenment are the essence of the Buddha’s teachings, comprising: the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, the Four Right Diligences, the Four Bases of Success, the Five Faculties, the Five Powers, the Seven Factors of Awakening, and the Noble Eightfold Path. The talk goes deeply into the Seven Factors of Awakening, also known as the Seven Limbs of Enlightenment, meaning the seven elements that lead to awakening. Enlightenment or Bodhi is not something far-fetched that only saints can reach; rather, it is the awakening and understanding that can be attained in daily life. Small awakenings accumulated will lead to Great Enlightenment, helping to untie the knots of fear and superstition and bringing about peace and joy.
The seven elements leading to awakening include:
- Mindfulness: Bringing the mind back to the present moment to see what is happening in the four domains of body, feelings, mind, and objects of mind.
- Investigation of phenomena: Deciding and investigating the nature of things through direct contact with the 18 realms, including: eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, mind; form, sound, smell, taste, touch, objects of mind; eye consciousness, ear consciousness, nose consciousness, tongue consciousness, body consciousness, and mind consciousness. The aim is to see the nature of impermanence, nonself, and interdependent co-arising.
- Diligence: Steady diligence, maintaining a reserve of energy so that the work of looking deeply can be continuous.
- Joy: The joy and peace arising from the realization that one is on the right path.
- Ease: The lightness, comfort, and peace of body and mind.
- Concentration: Body and mind dwelling peacefully, focused on one object, like a lid retaining heat so that the fire of mindfulness can cook the dharmas, helping to see clearly the nature of things.
- Equanimity: Letting go of discrimination and prejudice between suffering and happiness, defiled and immaculate, birth and death, love and hate; at the same time letting go of knowledge and possessions to attain higher liberation.
