The Seven Factors of Awakening (bojjhangas) are qualities of heart-mind (citta) that, when balanced through mindfulness, form a “wisdom lens.” This lens allows us to validate the veracity of our perceptions and experiences. These teachings are rooted in the Pali Canon, the core collection of the Buddha’s teachings recorded in the 1st Century BCE after centuries of oral transmission.
The teachings on the bojjhangas appear in the Pali Canon, the core teachings attributed to the Buddha recorded by the Fourth Buddhist Council in 29-17 BCE, having been orally transmitted for nearly 400 years after the Buddha’s death up until that point.
In this drawing that came to me on a monthlong retreat, I’ve endeavored to create a visual metaphor for the path of awakening that also serves as a mnemonic. Each symbolic part of the drawing will be described in the sections that follow.
The Approach: The Five Precepts
The steps leading up to the tower have inscribed on them single word representations of the five precepts. I took creative license to use the Sanskrit equivalents from the Yamas and Niyamas of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali for their brevity, making it easier to write them on the stones in the drawing. Here are the five precepts in more depth.
- Ahimsa / Panatipata veramani – refraining from harm, cultivating kindness and compassion
- Satya / Musavada veramani – refraining from false speech, cultivating honesty and clear communication
- Brahmacarya / Kamesu Micchacara veramani – refraining from harmful sexual conduct, cultivating contentment and faithfulness
- Asteya / Adinnadana veramani – Refraining from taking what is not freely given, cultivating generosity and respect for property.
- Souca / Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani – Refraining from imbibing that which leads to carelessness, cultivating mindfulness and clarity
The Entrance: Five Spiritual Faculties
At the entrance to the pagoda are three of the five spiritual faculties:
- Saddhā / Faith
- Viriya / Effort (overlaps with the Factors of Awakening)
- Wise Intention / Paññā
- Samādhi / Concentration (overlaps with the Factors of Awakening)
- Satī / Mindfulness (overlaps with the Factors of Awakening)
The Architecture: The Factors of Awakening
The Factors of Awakening are illustrated in pairs.
The lotus keystone at the top represents the pristine perspective of perfectly balanced Factors of Awakening, typified as the state of absorption known as jhana.
The arched beams supporting the keystone are Satī / Mindfulness. Mindful awareness that ardently balances each pair of factors.
The Right Side (Arousing Factors): Energy (Viriya), Investigation (Dhammavicaya), and Joy/Rapture (Pīti). These are used when the mind is sluggish.
The Left Side (Calming Factors): Tranquility (Passaddhi), Concentration (Samādhi), and Equanimity (Upekkhā). These are used when the mind is restless.
The first set of Factors of Awakening that require resolve to cultivate are Viriya / Energy, Effort, Vigor and Samādhi / Concentration. When these two qualities become stable, the candle has been lit and the consistent balance of both qualities keeps the flame of the candle burning, pictured in the first window.
The second pair of factors are, on the arousing side, Piti or Muditā / Joy, which arises naturally from seclusion. One could substitute any of the enlivening Divine Abodes (Brahmaviharas) which includes Sympathetic Joy (Muditā), and also Loving Kindness (Mettā) or Compassion (Karuṇā). Whichever is most present when practicing. When this pair arises, the practice begins to enter a “fruition” phase, depicted by the flowers growing in the window box on the third floor.
The final pair of factors are Inquiry (Dhammavicaya) and Equanimity (Upekkhā). When all Seven Factors of Awakening have been stabilized, one has effectively entered a “Jhana” or a state of consciousness where enlightened perspective is accessible.
Factors as a Spectrum
Each of the factors of awakening is best understood as a spectrum. Take first energy, sometimes we experience a very low energy state, or lethargy, while at other times we experience a very high energy state, like rapturous excitement. We begin by just noticing where we are along the spectrum of the factors based on our memory of experiences of the factor. We then use technique to bring the factor into balance and mindfulness to sustain that balance. Thus we’re balancing along the spectrum of the factor, and the factors in relation to one another.
A brief description of each factor follows:
- Mindfulness (Sati): Sustained awareness of the present moment, observing thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment.
- Energy (Viriya): Persistent effort and determination to cultivate wholesome states and overcome obstacles.
- Concentration (Samādhi): One-pointed focus of the mind, developing clarity.
- Rapture/Joy (Pīti): A spontaneous delight or happiness arising from the practice.
- Tranquility (Passaddhi): A state of mental and physical calm and peace.
- Investigation (Dhammavicaya): Keen examination of the nature of reality, understanding impermanence and ultimate truths.
- Equanimity (Upekkhā): Balanced, accepting awareness of reality, free from craving or aversion.
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness
The pagoda drawing also helps to sediment the Four Foundations of Mindfulness to memory. Along the right side of the image are brackets indicating each of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.
- The Ground (Kaya): Mindfulness of the Body.
- The First Floor (Vedana): Mindfulness of Feeling tones (pleasant, unpleasant, neutral).
- The Second Floor (Citta): Mindfulness of the State of Mind.
- The Top Floor (Dhammas): Mindfulness of Mental Phenomena and universal laws.
Here’s a brief explanation of each of the four foundations.
- Mindfulness of the Body (Kaya): Observing physical sensations, postures (sitting, standing, walking, lying down), the four elements (earth, water, fire, wind), and daily activities with presence, rather than getting lost in thought about them.
- Mindfulness of Feelings (Vedana): Noticing pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral feelings as they arise and pass, without craving pleasant ones or rejecting unpleasant ones.
- Mindfulness of the Mind (Citta): Observing the mind’s states, such as whether it’s concentrated, distracted, dull, excited, or calm, recognizing these mental patterns.
- Mindfulness of Dhammas (Dhammas): Contemplating mental objects, including the five hindrances (sensual desire, ill-will, sloth/torpor, restlessness/worry, doubt) and the Four Noble Truths, allowing for deeper insight into the nature of reality.
Closing
The pagoda depiction has provided me a mnemonic to remember and relate to each of these key components of the Satipatthana Sutta, a text that condenses a broad swath of the teachings in the Pali Canon into one story. I hope that its symbolism proves helpful for you too!
