The Buddha teaches on the seven awakening factors regarding going to the far shore, guiding mendicants to develop mindfulness through equanimity for the ending of defilements.

SN 46.17 Going to the Far Shore

“Sattime, bhikkhave, bojjhaṅgā bhāvitā bahulīkatā apārā pāraṁ gamanāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Satisambojjhaṅgo …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo ime kho, bhikkhave, satta bojjhaṅgā bhāvitā bahulīkatā apārā pāraṁ gamanāya saṁvattantīti.

Appakā te manussesu,
ye janā pāragāmino;
Athāyaṁ itarā pajā,
tīramevānudhāvati.

Ye ca kho sammadakkhāte,
dhamme dhammānuvattino;
Te janā pāramessanti,
maccudheyyaṁ suduttaraṁ.

Kaṇhaṁ dhammaṁ vippahāya,
sukkaṁ bhāvetha paṇḍito;
Okā anokamāgamma,
viveke yattha dūramaṁ.

Tatrābhiratimiccheyya,
hitvā kāme akiñcano;
Pariyodapeyya attānaṁ,
cittaklesehi paṇḍito.

Yesaṁ sambodhiyaṅgesu,
sammā cittaṁ subhāvitaṁ;
Ādānappaṭinissagge,
anupādāya ye ratā;
Khīṇāsavā jutimanto,
te loke parinibbutā”ti.

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Sattime, bhikkhave, bojjhaṅgā bhāvitā bahulīkatā apārā pāraṁ gamanāya saṁvattanti.

“Mendicants, when these seven awakening factors are developed and cultivated they lead to going from the near shore to the far shore.

Katame satta?

What seven?

Satisambojjhaṅgo …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo

The awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity.

ime kho, bhikkhave, satta bojjhaṅgā bhāvitā bahulīkatā apārā pāraṁ gamanāya saṁvattantīti.

These seven awakening factors, when developed and cultivated, lead to going from the near shore to the far shore.

Appakā te manussesu,

Few are those among humans

ye janā pāragāmino;

who cross to the far shore.

Athāyaṁ itarā pajā,

The rest just run

tīramevānudhāvati.

around on the near shore.

Ye ca kho sammadakkhāte,

When the teaching is well explained,

dhamme dhammānuvattino;

those who practice accordingly

Te janā pāramessanti,

are the ones who will cross over

maccudheyyaṁ suduttaraṁ.

Death’s dominion so hard to pass.

Kaṇhaṁ dhammaṁ vippahāya,

Rid of dark qualities,

sukkaṁ bhāvetha paṇḍito;

an astute person should develop the bright.

Okā anokamāgamma,

Leaving home behind

viveke yattha dūramaṁ.

for the seclusion so hard to enjoy,

Tatrābhiratimiccheyya,

try to find satisfaction there,

hitvā kāme akiñcano;

having left behind sensual pleasures.

Pariyodapeyya attānaṁ,

Owning nothing, an astute person

cittaklesehi paṇḍito.

should cleanse themselves of mental corruptions.

Yesaṁ sambodhiyaṅgesu,

And those whose minds are rightly developed

sammā cittaṁ subhāvitaṁ;

in the awakening factors;

Ādānappaṭinissagge,

letting go of attachments,

anupādāya ye ratā;

they delight in not grasping.

Khīṇāsavā jutimanto,

With defilements ended, brilliant,

te loke parinibbutā”ti.

they are quenched in this world.”

Sattamaṁ.

Qualities:

Attachment

Attachment

A mental fastening onto people, things, views, or states as “me” or “mine,” unwilling to release them. This clinging can give a sense of security and sweetness.

Also known as: acquisition, bond, clinging, grasping, holding on, possession, entanglement, bound, connected, taking as mine
Pāli: upadhi, upādāna, sakiñcana, mamatta
View all discourses →
Contentment

Contentment

The quality of being satisfied with the requisites one has and with the present conditions, resulting in having few desires and being free from agitation.

Also known as: fewness of wishes, having few desires, satisfaction, sense of ease
Pāli: santutthi, appicchatā, tuṭṭha, tosana
View all discourses →
Delight

Delight

A mental quality of relishing and taking pleasure in what is experienced—especially in sensuality or the prospect of continued becoming. When it fastens onto gratification, it nourishes craving and keeps the mind circling around what it wants to experience again.

Also known as: relishing, enjoyment, taking pleasure
Pāli: nandi, ārāmatā
View all discourses →
Equanimity

Equanimity

A state of mental poise and balance, characterized by non-reactivity and composure in the face of agreeable or disagreeable experiences.

Also known as: mental poise, mental balance, equipose, non-reactivity, composure
Pāli: upekkha
View all discourses →
Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
View all discourses →
Tranquility

Tranquility

A mental quality of calm and stillness that arises when the body and mind are unburdened by agitation.

Also known as: calmness, peacefulness, serenity
Pāli: passaddhi, santi, upasama, upasanta
View all discourses →

Last updated on July 27, 2026