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

SN 46.41 Discriminations

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā brāhmaṇā tisso vidhā pajahiṁsu, sabbe te sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā. Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, anāgatamaddhānaṁ samaṇā brāhmaṇā tisso vidhā pajahissanti, sabbe te sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā. Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, etarahi samaṇā brāhmaṇā tisso vidhā pajahanti, sabbe te sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā.

Katamesaṁ sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ? Satisambojjhaṅgassa …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa. Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā brāhmaṇā tisso vidhā pajahiṁsu …pe… pajahissanti …pe… pajahanti, sabbe te imesaṁyeva sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

“Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā brāhmaṇā tisso vidhā pajahiṁsu, sabbe te sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā.

“Mendicants, all the ascetics and brahmins in the past who have given up the three discriminations have done so by developing and cultivating the seven awakening factors.

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, anāgatamaddhānaṁ samaṇā brāhmaṇā tisso vidhā pajahissanti, sabbe te sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā.

All the ascetics and brahmins in the future who will give up the three discriminations will do so by developing and cultivating the seven awakening factors.

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, etarahi samaṇā brāhmaṇā tisso vidhā pajahanti, sabbe te sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā.

All the ascetics and brahmins in the present who are giving up the three discriminations do so by developing and cultivating the seven awakening factors.

Katamesaṁ sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ?

What seven?

Satisambojjhaṅgassa …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgassa.

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

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā brāhmaṇā tisso vidhā pajahiṁsu …pe…

All the ascetics and brahmins in the past …

pajahissanti …pe…

future …

pajahanti, sabbe te imesaṁyeva sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā”ti.

and present who give up the three discriminations do so by developing and cultivating the seven awakening factors.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

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
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Giving

Giving

The act of generosity, sharing, or offering to others without expecting anything in return. Giving is considered a foundational virtue in Buddhist practice, fostering selflessness and compassion.

Also known as: generosity, charity, donation, almsgiving, donating, philanthropy, providing with, gift with
Pāli: dāna
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Giving up

Giving up

The mental quality of renunciation and release from attachment. It delights in simplicity and freedom rather than in sensual pleasure. Giving up is not loss but the joyful abandoning of burden, opening the way to peace and insight.

Also known as: renunciation, relinquishment, letting go, abandonment
Pāli: nekkhamma
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Investigation

Investigation

Investigation involves the process of a careful inquiry of mental states, qualities, and phenomena, examining their arising, persisting, and ceasing in order to understand their true nature and support the cultivation of wisdom and awakening.

Also known as: inquiry, contemplation, examination, analysis, exploration
Pāli: vicaya, vīmaṃsā, parikkhati
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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
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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
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Last updated on July 27, 2026