The Word of the Buddha The Four Foundations Complete the Seven Factors of Awakening
The Word of the BuddhaIV. The Path that Leads to the Extinction of Suffering
Fulfillment of the Seven Factors of Awakening
And how do the four establishments of mindfulness, cultivated and frequently practiced, fulfill the seven factors of awakening?
On whatever occasion a bhikkhu dwells observing the body in and of itself, with continuous effort, clearly aware, mindful, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world, on that occasion his mindfulness is established and unmuddled. When a bhikkhu’s mindfulness is established and unmuddled, on that occasion the awakening factor of mindfulness is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of mindfulness, and by cultivation the awakening factor of mindfulness comes to fulfillment in him.
Dwelling thus mindful, he investigates and examines that state with wisdom and undertakes a full inquiry into it. On whatever occasion, dwelling thus mindful, a bhikkhu investigates and examines that state with wisdom and undertakes a full inquiry into it—on that occasion the awakening factor of investigation of states is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of investigation of states, and by cultivation it comes to fulfillment in him.
As he investigates, examines, and undertakes full inquiry into that state with wisdom, unflagging energy is aroused in him. On whatever occasion a bhikkhu, investigating, examining, and undertaking full inquiry into that state with wisdom, arouses unflagging energy—on that occasion the awakening factor of energy is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of energy, and by cultivation it comes to fulfillment in him.
In one who has aroused energy, joy that is free from worldly ties arises. On whatever occasion joy that is free from worldly ties arises in a bhikkhu who has aroused energy—on that occasion the awakening factor of joy is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of joy, and by cultivation it comes to fulfillment in him.
In one who is uplifted with joy, the body becomes tranquil and the mind becomes tranquil. On whatever occasion the body and mind of a bhikkhu who is uplifted with joy become tranquil—on that occasion the awakening factor of tranquility is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of tranquility, and by cultivation it comes to fulfillment in him.
In one whose body is tranquil and at ease, the mind becomes collected. On whatever occasion the mind of a bhikkhu whose body is tranquil and at ease becomes collected—on that occasion the awakening factor of collectedness is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of collectedness, and by cultivation it comes to fulfillment in him.
Having thus collected the mind, he thoroughly observes it with equanimity. On whatever occasion a bhikkhu, having thus collected the mind, thoroughly observes it with equanimity—on that occasion the awakening factor of equanimity is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of equanimity, and by cultivation it comes to fulfillment in him.
On whatever occasion a bhikkhu dwells observing felt experiences in and of themselves, or the mind in and of itself, or mental qualities in and of themselves, with continuous effort, clearly aware, mindful, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world, on that occasion his mindfulness is established and unmuddled. When a bhikkhu’s mindfulness is established and unmuddled, on that occasion the awakening factor of mindfulness is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of mindfulness, and by cultivation the awakening factor of mindfulness comes to fulfillment in him.
Dwelling thus mindful, he investigates and examines that state with wisdom and undertakes a full inquiry into it. On whatever occasion, dwelling thus mindful, a bhikkhu investigates and examines that state with wisdom and undertakes a full inquiry into it—on that occasion the awakening factor of investigation of states is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of investigation of states, and by cultivation it comes to fulfillment in him.
As he investigates, examines, and undertakes full inquiry into that state with wisdom, unflagging energy is aroused in him. On whatever occasion a bhikkhu, investigating, examining, and undertaking full inquiry into that state with wisdom, arouses unflagging energy—on that occasion the awakening factor of energy is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of energy, and by cultivation it comes to fulfillment in him.
In one who has aroused energy, joy that is free from worldly ties arises. On whatever occasion joy that is free from worldly ties arises in a bhikkhu who has aroused energy—on that occasion the awakening factor of joy is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of joy, and by cultivation it comes to fulfillment in him.
In one who is uplifted with joy, the body becomes tranquil and the mind becomes tranquil. On whatever occasion the body and mind of a bhikkhu who is uplifted with joy become tranquil—on that occasion the awakening factor of tranquility is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of tranquility, and by cultivation it comes to fulfillment in him.
In one whose body is tranquil and at ease, the mind becomes collected. On whatever occasion the mind of a bhikkhu whose body is tranquil and at ease becomes collected—on that occasion the awakening factor of collectedness is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of collectedness, and by cultivation it comes to fulfillment in him.
Having thus collected the mind, he thoroughly observes it with equanimity. On whatever occasion a bhikkhu, having thus collected the mind, thoroughly observes it with equanimity—on that occasion the awakening factor of equanimity is aroused in him. He cultivates the awakening factor of equanimity, and by cultivation it comes to fulfillment in him.
That is how the four establishments of mindfulness, when cultivated and frequently practiced, fulfill the seven factors of awakening.
Last updated on October 20, 2026