The Buddha teaches how a mendicant develops the seven awakening factors—mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity—depending on and grounded on ethics, relying on seclusion, fading away, and cessation.

SN 46.48 The Sun

“Ādiccassa, bhikkhave, udayato etaṁ pubbaṅgamaṁ etaṁ pubbanimittaṁ, yadidaṁaruṇuggaṁ.

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ uppādāya etaṁ pubbaṅgamaṁ etaṁ pubbanimittaṁ, yadidaṁkalyāṇamittatā. Kalyāṇamittassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁsatta bojjhaṅge bhāvessati, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarissati.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkaroti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarotī”ti.

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Ādiccassa, bhikkhave, udayato etaṁ pubbaṅgamaṁ etaṁ pubbanimittaṁ, yadidaṁaruṇuggaṁ.

“Mendicants, the dawn is the forerunner and harbinger of the sunrise.

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ uppādāya etaṁ pubbaṅgamaṁ etaṁ pubbanimittaṁ, yadidaṁkalyāṇamittatā.

In the same way, for a mendicant good friendship is the forerunner and harbinger of the arising of the seven awakening factors.

Kalyāṇamittassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁsatta bojjhaṅge bhāvessati, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarissati.

A mendicant with good friends can expect to develop and cultivate the seven awakening factors.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkaroti?

And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the seven awakening factors?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe…

It’s when a mendicant develops the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion,

upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.

and equanimity, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarotī”ti.

That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the seven awakening factors.”

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Companionship

Companionship

Companionship is the state of being with others, fostering connection, support, and mutual growth. This topic highlights how our associations influence us, whether positively or negatively, and explores the conditions and choices that lead to different kinds of companionship.

Also known as: fellowship, association, camaraderie, friendship
Pāli: sahāyatā, mittatā
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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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Good friendship

Good friendship

Association with those who are virtuous and wise, who encourage faith, ethical conduct, and discernment. Good friendship is the chief support for progress on the path, guiding one toward right view and wholesome living.

Also known as: friendship with wholesome persons
Pāli: kalyāṇamittatā
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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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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Last updated on July 27, 2026