WHAT ARE THE SEVEN FACTORS OF ENLIGHTENMENT IN BUDDHISM? CAN THE FIRM DETERMINATION OF THIS TRUTH MA

WHAT ARE THE SEVEN FACTORS OF ENLIGHTENMENT IN BUDDHISM? CAN THE FIRM DETERMINATION OF THIS TRUTH MAKE US FREE FROM ILLNESS ? In the Sutta Pitaka's Samyutta Nikaya, the bojjhangas refer to wholesome, mundane factors leading to enlightenment. MEANING OF The Pali word bojjhanga is a compound of bodhi "enlightenment" and anga "factor". In the Abhidhamma and Pali commentaries, the bojjhangas tend to refer to supramundane factors concurrent with enlightenment. THE SEVEN FACTORS OF ENLIGHTENMENT(DHAMMA of enlightenment) In Buddhism, the Seven Factors of Enlightenment are: 1-Mindfulness (sati). To maintain awareness of reality (dharma). 2-Investigation of the nature of reality (dhamma vicaya). 3-Energy (viriya) also determination 4-Joy or rapture (pīti) 5-Relaxation or tranquility (passaddhi) of both body and mind 6-Concentration, clear awareness (samadhi) a calm, one-pointed state of concentration of mind, or clear awareness 7-Equanimity/self-control (upekkha). To accept reality as-it-is (yatha-bhutha) without craving or aversion/hatred, . This evaluation of seven enlightenment factors is one of the "Seven Sets" of "Enlightenment-related states" (bodhipakkhiyadhamma). SIGNIFICANCE OF SUTTA PITAKA;- 10 FACTS;- 1-According to one discourse in the Samyutta Nikaya entitled "Bhikkhu Sutta"; 'factors of enlightenment lead us to enlightenment, therefore they are called factors of enlightenment.... 2-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. 3-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. 4-In meditation everyone most likely experiences two of the five hindrances (Pāli: pañca nīvaraṇāni). They are sloth, (dullness) and torpor(slowness )(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. 5-In the "Fire Discourse" , it is recommended that joy or rapture, investigation, and energy are to be developed when experiencing sloth and torpor. 6- Relaxation, concentration, and equanimity are to be developed when experiencing restlessness or worry. 7-Mindfulness should be constantly present to remain aware of physical change as well as mental change in either skillful or unskillful direction. 8-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). 9-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: 9-1-Strong mindfulness ... is needed in all instances.When his mind is slack (inattentive)with over-laxness (ढीलापन )of energy, etc. Then ... he should develop those [three enlightenment factors] beginning with investigation-of-states i.e., dhamma vicaya, viriya, piti. 9-2-When his mind is agitated through over-energeticness, etc., then he should develop those three enlightenment factors beginning with tranquility i.e., Relaxation /passaddhi, clear awareness/samadhi & self-control/ upekkha. 10-In addition, one Samyutta Nikaya sutta identifies developing each of the enlightenment factors accompanied by each of the four brahma viharas (lovingkindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, equanimity). WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF SEVEN IN NUTSHELL?- 06 FACTS;- 1-On one occasion the Blessed One was residing at the Squirrels’ feeding ground in the Bamboo Grove, near Rajagaha. At that time, the Venerable Mahā Kassapa who was living in the Pipphali Cave,was afflicted with a disease, was suffering, and was gravely ill. 2-Then the Blessed One, arising from His solitude at even tide, visited the Venerable Mahā Kassapa and sat down on a seat made ready for Him. Thus seated, the Blessed One spoke to the Venerable Mahā Kassapa: “Well Kassapa, how is it with you? Are you enduring your suffering? Are you bearing up? Does your painful feeling decrease or increase? Are there signs of decreasing and not increasing?” 3-Mahā Kassapa answered “No. Venerable Sir, I am not enduring. I am not bearing up, the painful feeling is very great. There is a sign of pain not decreasing but of their increasing.” 4-The Blessed One spoke to the Venerable Mahā Kassapa: "Kassapa, these seven factors of Enlightenment are well expounded by Me, and are cultivated and fully developed by Me. They are conducive to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana" (Pali: satta bojjhaṅgā)ACCORDING TO GAUTAM BUDDHA;- 1-Mindfulness, the factor of Enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana(another term for nirvana).. 2-Investigation of the Dhamma, the factor of Enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana. 3-Persevering effort, the factor of Enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana. 4-Rapture, the factor of Enlightenment, Kassapa, Is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana. 5-Tranquility, the factor of Enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana. 6-Concentration, the factor of Enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana. 7-Equanimity, the factor of Enlightenment. Kassapa, is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana. ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; 5-These seven factors of Enlightenment, Kassapa, are well expounded by Me, and are cultivated and fully developed by Me. They conduce to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana. “Most assuredly, O Blessed One, they are factors of Enlightenment. Most assuredly, O Welcome One (Sugata), they are factors of Enlightenment.” 6-Thus said the Buddha, and also the Venerable Mahā Kassapa, who glad at heart, was delighted at the utterances of the Buddha. Thereupon the Venerable Mahā Kassapa recovered from that affliction, and that affliction of the Venerable Mahā Kassapa disappeared. By the firm determination of this Truth, may I/you be free from illness! By the firm determination of this Truth, may I/you be free from illness! By the firm determination of this Truth, may I/you be free from illness! .....SHIVOHAM..