The Buddha teaches a repeated formula on developing the seven awakening factors—mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity—applied across varied topics in this grouped discourse.

SN 46.111-120 Searches, Etc.

“Tisso imā, bhikkhave, esanā. Katamā tisso? Kāmesanā, bhavesanā, brahmacariyesanā”ti vitthāretabbaṁ.

Esanāvaggo dvādasamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Esanā vidhā āsavo,
Bhavo ca dukkhatā tisso;
Khilaṁ malañca nīgho ca,
Vedanā taṇhā tasināya cāti.

(Bojjhaṅgasaṁyuttassa esanāpeyyālaṁ vivekanissitato vitthāretabbaṁ.)

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Tisso imā, bhikkhave, esanā.

“Mendicants, there are these three searches.

Katamā tisso?

What three?

Kāmesanā, bhavesanā, brahmacariyesanā”ti vitthāretabbaṁ.

The search for sensual pleasures, the search for continued existence, and the search for a spiritual path. …”

Esanāvaggo dvādasamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Esanā vidhā āsavo,

Bhavo ca dukkhatā tisso;

Khilaṁ malañca nīgho ca,

Vedanā taṇhā tasināya cāti.

(Bojjhaṅgasaṁyuttassa esanāpeyyālaṁ vivekanissitato vitthāretabbaṁ.)

(Tell in full as in SN 45.161–170.)

Qualities:

Sensual desire

Sensual desire

A mental quality of desiring sensory gratification. It pulls the mind’s attention toward sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or touches in a search for satisfaction.

Also known as: craving for sensuality, passion for sensual pleasures, lust, pull toward enticing sense objects
Pāli: kāmacchanda
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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026