In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines

Bojjhanga [= bodhi-anga] refers to the “seven factors of enlightenment”.—As components of the state of enlightenment and contributory factors to its achievement, are mentioned in the texts: the 7 factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga = bodhi-anga) and the 37 'things pertaining to enlightenment' (bodhipakkhiya-dhammā). In one of the later books of the Sutta-Pitaka, the Buddhavamsa, 10 bodhipācana-dhammā are mentioned, i.e. qualities that lead to the ripening of perfect enlightenment; these are the 10 perfections (pāramī).

The 7 factors of enlightenment (bojjhanga), are:

1. mindfulness (sati-sambojjhanga; s. sati),
2. investigation of the law (dhamma-vicaya-sambojjhanga),
3. energy (viriya-sambojjhanga; s. viriya, padhāna),
4. rapture (pīti-sambojjhanga, q.v.)
5. tranquility (passaddhi-sambojjhanga, q.v.),
6. concentration (samādhi-sambojjhanga, q.v.),
7. 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).

Source: Pali Kanon: A manual of Abhidhamma

Pali for 'factors of wisdom';

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: WikiPedia: Buddhism

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

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

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

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with: Bojjhanga Sakacca Vagga, Bojjhanga Samyutta, Bojjhangakatha, Bojjhangakosalla.

Ends with: Dhamma Vicaya Sambojjhanga, Passaddhi Sambojjhanga, Pitisambojjhanga, Samadhisambojjhanga, Sambojjhanga, Sati Sambojjhanga, Satisambojjhanga, Upekkha Sambojjhanga, Viriya Sambojjhanga.

Full-text (+70): Sambojjhanga, Viriya, Bodhyanga, Rapture, Samadhisambojjhanga, Bojjhanga Sakacca Vagga, Kayapassaddhi, Cakkavatti Vagga, Sati Sambojjhanga, Upekkha Sambojjhanga, Adalidda Sutta, Sambojjhanga Sutta, Nirodha Vagga, Nivarana Vagga, Anga Sutta, Mental Factors, Aparihani Sutta, Viriya Sambojjhanga, Anapana Vagga, Satisambojjhanga.

Relevant text

Search found 25 books and stories containing Bojjhanga, Bojjhaṅga; (plurals include: Bojjhangas, Bojjhaṅgas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study) (by Moumita Dutta Banik)

The second Bhanavara (Introduction) < [Chapter 3 - Subject Matter of the Second Bhanavara]

(1) Mahakassapa Thera Bojjhanga < [Chapter 3 - Subject Matter of the Second Bhanavara]

(3) Mahacunda Thera Bojjhanga < [Chapter 3 - Subject Matter of the Second Bhanavara]

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The Buddhist Path to Enlightenment (study) (by Dr Kala Acharya)

1(a). The Meaning of Bojjhaṅga (factors of enlightenment) < [Chapter 3 - Seven Factors of Enlightenment and Noble Eightfold Path]

1(b). The Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Introduction) < [Chapter 3 - Seven Factors of Enlightenment and Noble Eightfold Path]

3. Outline of this Research < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]

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The Book of Protection (by Piyadassi Thera)

Discourse 13 - Factors Of Enlightenment < [Discourses]

End Notes

Discourse 12 - Factors Of Enlightenment < [Discourses]

+ 2 more chapters / show preview

Guide to Tipitaka (by U Ko Lay)

Chapter VI - Samyutta Nikaya

Part II - Vibhanga Pali < [Chapter X - Abhidhamma Pitaka]

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A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada (by Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw)

Chapter 14 - Story Of Subrahma Deva < [Part 8]

Chapter 11 - Habitual And Death-bed Kammas < [Part 8]

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Philosophy of language in the Five Nikayas (by K.T.S. Sarao)

6.4. The Thirty-Seven Aids (Factors of Enlightenment) < [Chapter 3 - Language and Meaning as Reflected in the Five Nikāyas]

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