The Seven Factors of Awakening (sapta-bodhyanga}

         Summary from Chapter 26 

   The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching,       

Thich Nhat Hanh (1998) Parralax Press, Berkeley,CA.

As part of the San Antonio Plum Branch Sangha Book Club I generated this summary. Some other summaries by experts are easily available on the web.

Bonnie 

Background Information: Not from above book.

The Seven Factors of Awakening are from the Pali Canon (Tipitaka: Three Baskets) of the Theravada Buddhist tradition. The canon was first written down at the Fourth Buddhist Council in 29BCE.  That is about 450 years after Buddha died. Prior to this point, transmission of the teachings was oral and first formally gathered together at the First Buddhist Council where Ananda recited the Sutta Pitaka.  {Deep, deep bows to Ananda), The Seven Factors are found in the second basket, Sutta Pitaka, the discourses and sermons of Buddha, and perhaps a few close disciples, which is the biggest of the three baskets of the Pali Canon.

The Seven Factors of Awakening are: mindfulness, investigation of phenomena, diligence (other sources say energy), joy, ease (other sources say relaxation or tranquility), concentration and letting go (other sources name this equanimity).

7 Factors of Awakening

Also called 7 limbs

The 7 are in us, we just don’t know it. The factors describe both characteristics of Awakening as well as path to Awakening

Enlightenment is always growing.😊

First factor is Mindfulness. 

Mindfulness (Smriti) arises in context of a relationship: with ourselves, others, or things. 

So breathing, walking movements, feelings and all the phenomena around us are parts of the relationship in which mindfulness arises.

Example of walking and our feet bringing us back to the present when we bring awareness to our feet. 

How Long to establish mindfulness?  Buddha says 7 years to 1/2 month. Thay says this means awakening is always available! Only needs favorable conditions. 

Practicing 4 establishments of Mindfulness you realize the 7 factors of Awakening

The 4 establishments of Mindfulness are: pages (67-76) of Right Mindfulness chapter in The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching

      1.mindfulness of the body in the body

      2.Mindfulness of feelings in the feelings

      3.Mindfulness of the mind in the mind. (Mental formations) 

      4.Mindfulness of phenomena in phenomena- the objects of our mind (perceptions)😄

I am working on adding the remaining factors to another page, but am slow and make many mistakes as a new blogger.!