Muni's PlayThe Seven Bodhyangas (सप्त बोध्यङ्गानि) in Abhidharma Samucchaya
In the Abhidharma Samucchaya (Yogācāra tradition), the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (bodhyanga) are defined by mapping them to their underlying mental factors (caitasika).
Note: Joy/Rapture (Prīti) is not listed as a standalone caitasika in the 51 mental factors schema, but is treated as a component of pleasant mental feeling (Saumanasya-Vedanā).
| Bodhyanga (Sanskrit / Pali) | Mental Factor & Category | Sanskrit Definition & Translation | Sanskrit Function & Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Mindfulness (स्मृति / Smṛti) | स्मृति (Smṛti) [Object-Determining] | संस्तुते वस्तुनि चेतसः असंप्रमोषः। saṃstute vastuni cetasaḥ asaṃpramoṣaḥ Non-forgetting or retention of a familiar/experienced object. | अविक्षेपकर्मिका। avikṣepakarmikā Preventing mental distraction or scattering. |
| 2. Investigation (धर्मविचय / Dharma-vicaya) | प्रज्ञा (Prajñā / Wisdom) [Object-Determining] | उपपरीक्ष्य एव वस्तुनि धर्माणां प्रविचयः। upaparīkṣya eva vastuni dharmāṇāṃ pravicayaḥ The thorough investigation and discernment of phenomena under examination. | संशयव्यावर्त्तनकर्मिका। saṃśayavyāvarttanakarmikā Turning away or removing doubt and uncertainty. |
| 3. Energy (वीर्य / Vīrya) | वीर्य (Vīrya) [Wholesome Factor] | कुशले चेतसोऽभ्युत्साहः… अलीनत्वे वा। kuśale cetaso’bhyutsāhaḥ… alīnatve vā Mental enthusiasm for the wholesome, characterized by non-slothfulness. | कुशलपक्षपरिपूरणपरिनिष्पादनकर्मकम्। kuśalapakṣaparipūraṇapariniṣpādanakarmakam Completing and fulfilling the wholesome side. |
| 4. Joy / Rapture (प्रीति / Prīti) | Not a separate caitasika | Considered a subset of Feeling (वेदना / Saumanasya-Vedanā) and satisfaction. | Acts as a limb of meditative absorption (dhyānāṅga), gladdening the mind. |
| 5. Tranquility (प्रश्रब्धि / Praśrabdhi) | प्रश्रब्धि (Praśrabdhi) [Wholesome Factor] | कायचित्तदौष्ठुल्यानां प्रतिप्रश्रब्धेः कायचित्तकर्मण्यता। kāyacittadauṣṭhulyānāṃ pratipraśrabdheḥ kāyacittakarmaṇyatā Fitness/flexibility; the removal of mental and physical rigidity. | सर्वावरणनिष्कर्षणकर्मिका। sarvāvaraṇaniṣkarṣaṇakarmikā The function of removing all obstructions/veils (āvaraṇa). |
| 6. Concentration (समाधि / Samādhi) | समाधि (Samādhi) [Object-Determining] | उपपरीक्ष्ये वस्तुनि चित्तस्यैकाग्रता। upaparīkṣye vastuni cittasyaikāgratā One-pointedness of the mind on an object under examination. | ज्ञानसन्निश्रयदानकर्मकः। jñānasanniśrayadānakarmakaḥ Serving as the immediate support/basis for knowledge/insight (jñāna). |
| 7. Equanimity (उपेक्षा / Upekṣā) | उपेक्षा (Upekṣā) [Wholesome Factor] | चित्तसमता चित्तप्रशठता चित्तस्यानाभोगावस्थितता। cittasamatā cittapraśaṭhatā cittasyānābhogāvasthitatā Mental balance, serenity, and a state of non-effort/spontaneity. | संक्लेशानवकाशसन्निश्रयदानकर्मिका। saṅkleṣānavakāśasanniśrayadānakarmikā Leaving no room or opportunity for afflictions. |
Related Links
- Complete Mental Factors: Mental Factors Definitions
- Sutra Context (Mindfulness): MN 10 - Mindfulness Meditation