The Word of the Buddha The Seven Factors of Awakening
The Word of the BuddhaIV. The Path that Leads to the Extinction of Suffering
4.4. Observing the Mental Qualities with regard to the Factors of Awakening
Again, a bhikkhu dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves with regard to the seven factors of awakening. And how does a bhikkhu dwell observing the mental qualities in and of themselves in the seven factors of awakening?
Here, when the awakening factor of mindfulness is present within, a bhikkhu discerns, ‘The awakening factor of mindfulness is present in me,’ or when the awakening factor of mindfulness is not present within, he discerns, ‘The awakening factor of mindfulness is not present in me.’ He also discerns how the unarisen awakening factor of mindfulness arises and how the arisen awakening factor of mindfulness reaches fulfillment through cultivation.
When the awakening factor of investigation of states is present within, he discerns, ‘The awakening factor of investigation of states is present in me,’ or when the awakening factor of investigation of states is not present within, he discerns, ‘The awakening factor of investigation of states is not present in me.’ He also discerns how the unarisen awakening factor of investigation of states arises and how the arisen awakening factor of investigation of states reaches fulfillment through cultivation.
When the awakening factor of energy is present within, he discerns, ‘The awakening factor of energy is present in me,’ or when the awakening factor of energy is not present within, he discerns, ‘The awakening factor of energy is not present in me.’ He also discerns how the unarisen awakening factor of energy arises and how the arisen awakening factor of energy reaches fulfillment through cultivation.
When the awakening factor of joy is present within, he discerns, ‘The awakening factor of joy is present in me,’ or when the awakening factor of joy is not present within, he discerns, ‘The awakening factor of joy is not present in me.’ He also discerns how the unarisen awakening factor of joy arises and how the arisen awakening factor of joy reaches fulfillment through cultivation.
When the awakening factor of tranquility is present within, he discerns, ‘The awakening factor of tranquility is present in me,’ or when the awakening factor of tranquility is not present within, he discerns, ‘The awakening factor of tranquility is not present in me.’ He also discerns how the unarisen awakening factor of tranquility arises and how the arisen awakening factor of tranquility reaches fulfillment through cultivation.
When the awakening factor of collectedness is present within, he discerns, ‘The awakening factor of collectedness is present in me,’ or when the awakening factor of collectedness is not present within, he discerns, ‘The awakening factor of collectedness is not present in me.’ He also discerns how the unarisen awakening factor of collectedness arises and how the arisen awakening factor of collectedness reaches fulfillment through cultivation.
When the awakening factor of equanimity is present within, he discerns, ‘The awakening factor of equanimity is present in me,’ or when the awakening factor of equanimity is not present within, he discerns, ‘The awakening factor of equanimity is not present in me.’ He also discerns how the unarisen awakening factor of equanimity arises and how the arisen awakening factor of equanimity reaches fulfillment through cultivation.
Thus, he dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves internally, or he dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves externally, or he dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves both internally and externally. He dwells observing the arising nature in the mental qualities, or he dwells observing the vanishing nature in the mental qualities, or he dwells observing both the arising and vanishing nature in the mental qualities. Or else, mindfulness that ‘there are mental qualities’ is simply established in him to the extent necessary for knowledge and remembrance. He dwells independently and does not cling to anything in the world.
In this way too, a bhikkhu dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves with regard to the seven factors of awakening.
Last updated on October 20, 2026