Bojjhanga, aka: Bojjhaṅga; 5 Definition(s)

Introduction

Bojjhanga means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

'the 7 factors of enlightenment', are:

• mindfulness (sati-sambojjhanga; s. sati),
• investigation of the law (dhamma-vicaya-sambojjhanga),
• energy (viriya-sambojjhanga; s. viriya, padhāna),
• rapture (pīti-sambojjhanga, q.v.)
• tranquility (passaddhi-sambojjhanga, q.v.),
• concentration (samādhi-sambojjhanga, q.v.),
• equanimity (upekkhā).

"Because they lead to enlightenment, therefore they are called factors of enlightenment" (S. XLVI, 5).

Though in the 2nd factor, dhamma-vicaya, the word dhamma is taken by most translators to stand for the Buddhist doctrine, it probably refers to the bodily and mental phenomena (nāma-rūpa-dhammā) as presented to the investigating mind by mindfulness, the 1st factor. With that interpretation, the term may be rendered by 'investigation of phenomena'.

In A.X.102, the 7 factors are said to be the means of attaining the threefold wisdom (s. tevijjā).

They may be attained by means of the 4 foundations of mindfulness (satipatthāna), as it is said in S.XLVI.1 and explained in M.118:

• (1) "Whenever, o monks, the monk dwells contemplating the body (kāya), feeling (vedanā), mind (citta) and mind-objects (dhammā), strenuous, clearly-conscious, mindful, after subduing worldly greed and grief, at such a time his mindfulness is present and undisturbed; and whenever his mindfulness is present and undisturbed, at such a time he has gained and is developing the factor of enlightenment 'mindfulness' (sati-sambojjhanga), and thus this factor of enlightenment reaches fullest perfection.

• (2) "Whenever, while dwelling with mindfulness, he wisely investigates, examines and thinks over the law ... at such a time he has gained and is developing the factor of enlightenment 'investigation of the law' (dhamma-vicaya°) ....

• (3) "Whenever, while wisely investigating his energy is firm and unshaken ... at such a time he has gained and is developing the factor of enlightenment 'energy' (viriya°) ....

• (4) "Whenever in him, while firm in energy, arises super sensuous rapture ... at such a time he has gained and is developing the factor of enlightenment 'rapture' (pīti°) ..

• (5) "Whenever, while enraptured in mind, his body and his mind become composed ... at such a time he has gained and is developing the factor of enlightenment 'tranquillity' (passaddhi°).

• (6) "Whenever, while being composed in his body and happy, his mind becomes concentrated ... at such a time he has gained and is developing the factor of enlightenment 'concentration' (samādhi°)

• (7) "Whenever he looks with complete indifference on his mind thus concentrated ... at such a time he has gained and is developing the factor of enlightenment 'equanimity' (upekkhā).

Literature:

• Bojjhanga Samyutta (S. XLVI); Bojjhanga Vibh. -

• For the conditions leading to the arising of each of the factors, see the Com. to Satipatthāna Sutta (Way of Mindfulness, by Soma Thera; 3rd ed., 1967, BPS).

• The 'Seven Factors of Enlightenment, by Piyadassi Thera (WHEEL 1.)

Pali for 'factors of wisdom';

General definition (in Buddhism)

the Pali word bojjhanga is a compound of bodhi ("enlightenment") and anga ("factor").

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

bojjhaṅga : (nt.) a factor of knowledge or wisdom.

Bojjhaṅga, (bodhi+aṅga; cp. BSk. bodhyaṅga, e.g. Lal. Vist. 37, where the 7 are given at Divy 208) a factor or constituent of knowledge or wisdom. There are 7 bojjhaṅgas usually referred to or understood from the context. There are enumd at several places, e.g. at D. III, 106, where they are mentioned in a list of qualities (dhammā) which contribute to the greatest happiness of gods and man, viz. the 4 satipaṭṭhānā, 4 sammapadhānā, 4 iddhipādā, 5 indriyāni, 5 balāni & the 7 bojjhaṅgas and ariya aṭṭhaṅgika magga, 37 in all. The same list we find at Divy 208.—The 7 b. (frequently also called sambojjhaṅgā) are sati, dhamma-vicaya, viriya, pīti, passaddhi, samādhi, upekhā or mindfulness, investigation of the Law, energy, rapture, repose, concentration and equanimity (DhsA. 217, cp. Expositor II. 294).—D. II, 79, 83, 120, 303; III, 101, 128, 284; M. I, 11, 61; II, 12; III, 85, 275; S. I, 54; V, 82, 110; A. I, 14; IV, 23; Nd1 14, 45, 171 (°kusala), 341; Kvu I. 158; Dhs. 358, 528, 1354; Vbh. 199 sq. , 227 sq. ; Vism. 160; Miln. 340; DhA. I, 230; VbhA. 120, 310; ThA. 27, 50, 160. They are counted among the 37 constituents of Arahantship, viz. the 30 above-mentioned qualities (counting magga as one), with addition of sīlesu paripūrikāritā, indriyesu gutta-dvāratā, bhojane mattaññutā, jāgariy’ânuyoga, sati-sampajaññaṃ (see e.g. Nd1 14; Nd2 s. v. satipaṭṭhāna & sīla); cp. Th. 1, 161, 162; Th. 2, 21 (maggā nibbāna-pattiyā); DhsA. 217 (bodhāya saṃvattantī ti bojjhaṅgā etc. ; also def. as “bodhissa aṅgo ti pi bojjhaṅgo sen’aṅgarath’aṅg’ādayo viya). They are also called the paribhoga-bhaṇḍāni or “insignia＂ of the Buddha Miln. 330.—kosalla proficiency in the constituents of wisdom Vism. 248. (Page 490)

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Relevant definitions

Search found 61 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:

Relevant text