Muni's Play7 Factors of Enlightenment (Bodhyāṅga)
According to the Madhyanta Vibhaga Karika (Chapter 4, Verses 8 and 9), the seven factors of enlightenment are categorized into four functional groups, explaining the specific purpose of each factor in the path to realization.
Functional Categorization of the Bodhyāṅgas
| # | Category | Factors of Enlightenment | Logic from the Text |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Basis आश्रयाङ्ग (Āśrayāṅga) | Mindfulness (Smṛti) | Mindfulness is the foundation upon which the rest of the path is built. |
| 2 | The Essence स्वभावाङ्ग (Svabhāvāṅga) | Discrimination of Phenomena (Dharma-pravicaya) | The “nature” of realization is the wisdom that analyzes reality. |
| 3 | Departure निर्याणाङ्ग (Niryāṇāṅga) | Energy (Vīrya), Joy (Prīti), Pliancy (Praśrabdhi), Concentration (Samādhi) | These factors provide the “thrust” to move out of Samsara. |
| 4 | The Benefit अनुशंसाङ्ग (Anuśaṃsāṅga) | Equanimity (Upekṣā) | The result of the others is a mind that is no longer afflicted by emotional swings. |
Scriptural Reference
These verses are extracted from Chapter 4 - Investigation of Cultivation, Stages and Fruits.
Verse 8
Sanskrit Text
द्वौ द्वौ निर्वेधभागीयाविन्द्रियाणि बलानि च।
आश्रयाङ्गं स्वभावाङ्गं निर्याणाङ्गं तृतीयकम्
Transliteration
dwau dwau nirvedhabhāgīyāvindriyāṇi balāni ca
āśrayāṅgaṃ swabhāvāṅgaṃ niryāṇāṅgaṃ tṛtīyakam
Translation
The two (Factors of Penetration), the Faculties (indriya), and the Powers (bala) (are established). Then come the factors of enlightenment: the branch of the basis (āśrayāṅga), the branch of the nature (swabhāvāṅga), and the third, the branch of departure (niryāṇa-aṅga).
Verse 9
Sanskrit Text
चतुर्थमनुशंसाङ्गं निःक्लेशाङ्गं त्रिधा मतम्।
निदानेनाश्रयेणेह स्वभावेन च देशितम्
Transliteration
caturthamanuśaṃsāṅgaṃ niḥkleśāṅgaṃ tridhā matam
nidānenāśrayeṇeha swabhāvena ca deśitam
Translation
The fourth is the branch of benefits (anuśaṃsāṅga), and the branch of freedom from afflictions (niḥkleśāṅga) is considered threefold. These are taught here according to their cause (nidāna), their basis (āśraya), and their nature (swabhāva).