Thirty-seven Factors of Enlightenment

The Sanskrit term bodhi-pakshana or bodhipakshika-dharma or bodhipakkhiya-dhamma literally means those 37 factors or things pertaining to enlightenment. They include the prerequisites for the attainment of enlightenment and form the foundation for all schools of Buddhism. CLICK for Summary of the classification of all dharmas according to the Prajnaparamita Sutra.

I. The Path or Phase of Accumulation:

In this phase you accumulate virtue so as to make your mind a suitable vessel in which realizations can arise.

The Four Foundations (applications) of Mindfulness (smrfy-upasthana/ satipatthana) or the Four Frames of Reference. By deepening your practice of  these four you will develop greater enthusiasm for positive or “wholesome” activities, thus leading to the next four correct efforts or endeavors. The practice of mindfulness differs in the three vehicles of Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. See the Maha-satipatthana Sutta for Hinayana version.

1. The foundation of mindfulness of the body or skandhas of form (kayanupassana- satipatthana). Through mindfulness of body you realize the truth of suffering.
2. The foundation of mindfulness of the skandhas of feelings (vedananupassana- satipatthana). Through mindfulness of feeling you realize the truth of the origin of suffering.
3. The foundation of mindfulness of the skandhas of consciousness (mind or thoughts) (cittanupassana-satipatthana). Through mindfulness of the mind you realize the truth of cessation.
4. The foundation of mindfulness of the skandhas of perception and concept (Mahayana/varjayana-phenomena/dharmas) (Hinayana-mental qualities) (dhammanupassana-satipatthana). Through mindfulness of phenomena you realize the truth of the Bodhisattva path.

The Four Correct Endeavors/Four Abandonments / Four Right Practices—four right or perfect or supreme efforts/exertions or the four right kinds of striving (samyak- prahana/samappadhana). With a solid foundation of mindfulness and ethical conduct gained from practicing the first eight, you will be able to further develop a single-pointedness of mind that cannot be sustained by a lesser degree of concentration.

5. Abandoning or ceasing negative acts/unskillful states or discard evil that has arisen—getting rid of existing evils and non-virtues (uppannanam akusalanam dhammanam pahamaya vayamo)
6. Preventing future negative acts/unskillful states or prevent evil that has not arisen—never giving rise to evils and non-virtues that are presently absent (anuppannanam kusalanam dhammanaman uppadaya vayamo).
7. Enhancing existing positive qualities/skillful states and past wholesome acts or promote good that has arisen—assuring the increase of those virtues which are already developed  (anuppannanam kusalanam dhammanam uppadaya vayamo)
8. Laying the foundation for future wholesome acts/skillful states or cultivate good that has not arisen-giving rise to virtuous remedies not yet present (uppannanam kusalanam dhammanam bhiyyobhaya vayamo)

The Four Supernatural Feats–bases or psychic or spiritual power or roads to power (riddhi-pada/iddhipadda) or means of accomplishment. Since they require a well cultivated and unusually focused state of mind they can result in “supernatural” feats and form the bases of psychic (supernormal) power. The first twelve factors all enhance your capacity to remain focused on a chosen object of meditation which leads to the enhancement of all your positive spiritual faculties. The development of supernormal powers and the occurrence of supernatural events are merely a by-product that indicates progress. The exoteric schools, in general, do not emphasize the attainment of supernormal powers as they are thought to be distractions on the path, which they can be, but they are essential on the vajrayana or tantric path to achieve the ‘quick path” to enlightenment.

9. The supernatural feat of aspiration/will—profound absorption through longing (chandiddhipado-chanda)
10. The supernatural feat of joyous effort/energy/perseverance–profound absorption through diligence (viryaddhipado-viriya)
11. The supernatural feat of concentration (thought)—profound absorption through intention (cittiddhipado-citta)
12. The supernatural feat of inquiry or investigation/discrimination (wisdom)–profound absorption through analysis (vimamsiddhipado-vimamsa or panna)

II. The Path/Phase of Junction or Integration:

In this phase you achieve a break through in understanding which is conducive to realization of the Four Noble Truths. Integration refers to integration into a direct realization of truth. It consists of four sub-phases:

Warming -one first warms to the real meaning of voidness.
Summit – one sees a panoramic view. The earth (defilements)has diminished to a point, whereas space (voidness) becomes more and more present. At peak one stands between heaven and earth, phenomena and voidness.
Forbearance– as an aspiration to certainty about phenomena and the skill needed to face up tp voidness and its implications.
The Highest Worldly Point or Dharma– This is the highest point and the end of samsara After this sub-phase there will be no more samsaric rebirth. The whole quality of experience will change. The subsequent Phase of Insight has nothing to do with worldliness

The five faculties are employed during the subphases of “warming” and “summit.” As these faculties are developed and reach an advanced state in the sub phases of “forbearance” and “highest worldly point,” they become the five powers.

The Five Faculties—five roots or controlling factors or dominants, or forces (panchaindryani/indriya) that lead to peace and enlightenment.

13. The faculty of faith or devotion/confidence/trust (saddhindriya

14. The faculty of joyous effort or energy/perseverance/diligence viriyindriya)

15. The faculty of mindfulness/recollection (satindriya)

16. The faculty of deep meditative absorption or concentration (samadhindriya)

17. The faculty of profound wisdom or insight (pannandriya)

The Five Powers (bala/balani). As you develop these powers, you will naturally be able to follow the core of the Buddha’s teaching—The Eight-fold Path.
18. The power of faith or devotion/confidence/trust (saddha)

19. The power of joyous effort or energy/perseverance diligence (viriya)

20. The power of mindfulness/recollection (sati)

21. The power of deep meditative absorption or concentration (samadhi)

22. The power of profound wisdom or insight (panna)

III. The Path/Phase of Insight/Seeing-First Bhumi:

For the first time you gain authentic insight into the Truths of the Realized. On the Mahayana path this means you enter the first bhumi or level of a Bodhisattva. During this stage you are endowed with seven aspects of enlightenment.

The Seven Limbs or Aspects (factors, elements, or branches) of Enlightenment or awakening (bodhyanga/sambojjhanga). See the Maha-satipatthana Sutta and Anapanasati Sutta.

23- The factor of enlightenment consisting of right mindfulness (smritilsati- sambojjhanga).

24. The factor of enlightenment consisting of right aspiration or discriminative knowledge (discerning appreciation/investigation)—investigation into the nature of phenomena (dharmavicaya/dhammvicayas-ambojhjanga).

25. The factor of enlightenment consisting of right joyous effort or persistence/energy (viryalviriya-sambojjhanga).

26. The factor of enlightenment consisting of right joyfullness, rapture, bliss, delight (priti/piti-sambojhjanga).

27. The factor of enlightenment consisting of right proficiency/tranquility, subtleness, suppleness or serenity (passaddhi/passaddhi-sambojjhanga).

28. The factor of enlightenment consisting of right profound absorption/concentration, one-pointedness (four jhanas or samadhi/samadhi-sambojjhanga).

29. The factorof enlightenment consisting of right equanimity or elimination of the mind’s tendency to wander (upeksha/upekkha-sambojjhanga).

IV. The Path/Phase of Cultivation/Meditation-Second to Tenth Bhumis:

You cultivate familiarity with meditation which rests within the universal essence realized through the Phase of Insight. During this stage you are endowed with the Noble EightfoldPath.

The Noble Eight-fold Path (margalmaggana/atthangimkagga). See the Maha- satipatthana Sutta.

WISDOM (PANNA)

30. Correct view or understanding ( Samma-Ditthi)

32. Correct thinking or thoughts/concepts/ intention (Samma-Sankappa)

MORALITY (SILA)

32. Correct speech or expression (Samma-Vaca)

33. Correct action (Samma-Kammanta)

34. Correct livelihood (Samma-Ajiva)

CONCENTRATION (SAMADHI)

35. Correct effort (Samma-Vayama)

36. Correct mindfulness (Samma-Sati)

37. Correct profound absorption/concentration (Samma-sanadgu)

These 37 Factors plus the five vidyas, six superknowledges or supernormal powers (abhijna), and eighteen emptinesses (sunyata) are the supramundane dharmas that are practiced by saints  or holy ones.