Bojjhanga, aka: Bojjhaṅga; 5 Definition(s)

Introduction

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Theravada
2. General definition
Languages
1. Pali
Relevant definitions
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Comments

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.)

Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines

Pali for 'factors of wisdom';

Source: Pali Kanon: A manual of Abhidhamma

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)

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

Source: WikiPedia: Buddhism

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

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

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise 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)

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

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

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Search found 19 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:

Discourse 13 - Factors Of Enlightenment < [Discourses]

End Notes

Discourse 12 - Factors Of Enlightenment < [Discourses]

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Chapter VI - Samyutta Nikaya

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

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

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

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Part 26 - Thirty-seven Factors of the Perpetuation of the Teaching < [Chapter 40 - The Buddha Declared the Seven Factors of Non-Decline for Rulers]

(10) Tenth Pāramī: The Perfection of Equanimity (upekkhā-pāramī) < [Chapter 6 - On Pāramitā]