Bojjhanga Pabba: The Heart of Enlightenment According to the Royal Prayer Book (ai generated)

Bojjhanga Pabba: The Heart of Enlightenment According to the Royal Prayer Book (ai generated)

Cultivating Mindfulness in the Profound Categories of Dhamma

Among the Noble Eightfold Path that the Buddha discovered and taught, Satipatthana 4 (The Four Foundations of Mindfulness) stands as the supreme fundamental for attaining liberation from suffering. The practice of Satipatthana is divided into four main sections: Kayannupassana Satipatthana (Contemplation of the Body), Vedananupassana Satipatthana (Contemplation of Feelings), Cittanupassana Satipatthana (Contemplation of the Mind), and the most profound section, Dhammanudhamma Satipatthana (Contemplation of Dhamma in the Dhammas).

This contemplation of Dhamma in the Dhammas involves examining various interrelated sets of Dhamma which directly lead to Enlightenment (Bodhi). One of the most critical sets of these factors is the Bojjhanga Pabba, or the chapter on the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Bojjhangas 7).

๑. The Significance of Dhammanudhamma Satipatthana

The section Dhammanudhamma Satipatthana (Contemplation of the Dhamma in the Dhammas) is the practice of training mindfulness to be aware of various mental states (Dhamma) as they arise in the present moment, whether they are wholesome (Kusala), unwholesome (Akusala), or neutral. It focuses on seeing the relationship between these mental states and recognizing the natural laws of existence.

In this section, one contemplates groups of Dhamma, such as the Five Aggregates (Khandhas 5), the Twelve Sense Bases (Ayatana 12), the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Bojjhangas 7), and the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya Magga). The inclusion of the Bojjhangas 7 in this category clearly indicates that the Bojjhangas are Dhamma that must be contemplated with mindfulness and are the Dhamma that facilitate the growth of wisdom until the end of suffering is reached.

๒. Getting to Know the "Bojjhangas 7": Factors of Enlightenment

Bojjhanga means Factors of Enlightenment or the constituent elements that lead to the attainment of knowledge (Sambodhi). There are seven Bojjhangas, and when fully cultivated, they are the means to liberation from all defilements. These seven factors are deeply balanced and mutually supportive:

1. Sati-sambojjhanga: Mindfulness—the ability to recollect, non-negligence, and firmly establish the mind on the intended object without distraction. This is the most crucial foundation for practice.
2. Dhammavicaya-sambojjhanga: Investigation of Dhamma—using wisdom to contemplate and examine the arising Dhamma: Is this wholesome? Is this unwholesome? Is it true or untrue?
3. Viriya-sambojjhanga: Effort/Energy—perseverance and unrelenting endeavour to abandon unwholesome states and cultivate wholesome states to perfection.
4. Pīti-sambojjhanga: Joy/Rapture—a feeling of delight and exhilaration that arises when the practice progresses or when wisdom is functioning effectively.
5. Passaddhi-sambojjhanga: Tranquillity of Body and Mind—the state where the body and mind are relaxed and cooled from the agitation of defilements and distraction.
6. Samādhi-sambojjhanga: Concentration—the establishment of the mind, where the mind remains focused on a single object continuously and steadfastly.
7. Upekkhā-sambojjhanga: Equanimity—maintaining a balanced mind with fairness, neither rejoicing nor lamenting over the mental objects that arise, by truly knowing them as they are.

๓. The Core Meaning of Bojjhanga Pabba in the Royal Prayer Book

The holy verses (Paritta) compiled in the Royal Prayer Book (Suat Mon Chabap Luang) are held in high reverence in Thailand, particularly those collected and revised by Somdet Phra Sangkharaj (Pussadeva) of Wat Ratchapradit Sathit Mahasimaram (formerly known as Sa Pussadevo) during the reign of King Rama IV. This work emphasizes the correctness and standardization of the Buddhist practice.

In the Bojjhanga Pabba, according to the Paritta, the emphasis is placed on the contemplation of the arising (Uppāda) and the cessation (Vaya) of the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, using mindfulness.

๓.๑. Contemplating the Arising and Cessation of the Bojjhangas

According to the principles in the Royal Edition and the commentaries (Atthakatha), contemplating the Bojjhangas 7 through Dhammanudhamma Satipatthana means using wisdom (Paññā) to investigate how each Bojjhanga:

• Arises (Sambhavataṃ)?: What conditions or factors cause the Bojjhanga to arise? The answer is through Yonisomanasikāra (Proper Attention), which is the careful and skillful application of the mind to that Dhamma. When proper wisdom is established, then Sati, Investigation, Effort, etc., will follow.
• Ceases (Abhiññā)?: What conditions or factors cause the Bojjhanga to cease? The answer is through Ayonisomanasikāra (Improper Attention), which is the unskillful application of the mind. This causes mindfulness to scatter, wisdom not to arise, and effort to diminish, thus preventing the Bojjhanga from continuing its function.

Seeing this is the application of mindfulness and wisdom to control the causes of wholesome states—that is, to cultivate the Bojjhangas for them to arise and endure, and to abandon heedlessness (Ayonisomanasikāra), which is the cause of their cessation.

๓.๒. Balancing the Factors (Balancing the Factors)

The most essential aspect of the Bojjhangas is balance, which the chanting and contemplation guided by this tradition highlight as the necessity for the factors to work harmoniously:

Group of Dhamma	Constituent Factor	Point of Balance
Wisdom Group	Dhammavicaya (Investigation)	Must be balanced with Samādhi (Concentration), otherwise the mind becomes scattered.
Effort Group	Viriya (Effort)	Must be balanced with Passaddhi (Tranquillity), otherwise the practice becomes overly tense.
Joy Group	Pīti (Joy/Rapture)	Should arise from Viriya and Sati to ensure it is not distracting rapture but rapture that leads to Samādhi.

The profound importance given to the Bojjhangas 7 in the Royal Prayer Book by the ancient teachers is because this set of Dhamma is the tool for tuning the mind to achieve neutrality (Upekkhā), ultimately leading to the wisdom that comprehends the Four Noble Truths.

๔. Supreme Patriarch (Pussadeve) and the Preservation of the Dhamma

The reference to Somdet Phra Sangkharaj (Pussadeve), also known as Somdet Phra Mahasamana Chao Krom Phra Paramanuchitchinorot (He was known as Prince Paramanuchitchinorot during the reign of King Rama IV and was the first royal member to be appointed Supreme Patriarch in the Rattanakosin era), who composed and revised the Pali chants during that period, confirms the authenticity and sanctity of these verses.

Wat Ratchapradit Sathit Mahasimaram, the royal temple of King Rama IV and the resting place of the Supreme Patriarch Pussadeve’s relics, has continuously served as the centre for preserving and transmitting the correct traditions and chants in accordance with the royal mandate and monastic discipline.

Therefore, when we chant the Bojjhanga Pabba according to the Royal Prayer Book, we are not merely reciting from memory, but we are acknowledging and following the path of practice authenticated by a Noble Sangha member and preserving an invaluable national Dhamma heritage.

๕. Cultivating the Bojjhangas in Daily Life (Simple Steps)

Although the Bojjhangas 7 may sound like advanced Dhamma, we can easily apply them in our daily lives:

1. Be Alert with Mindfulness (Sati-sambojjhanga): Practice being aware of the incoming and outgoing breath, noticing the body while walking, standing, sitting, sleeping (minor postures), and constantly while working.
2. Analyze with Wisdom (Dhammavicaya-sambojjhanga): When a strong emotion arises (anger, greed, delusion), pause and ask yourself: Is this emotion beneficial to me? What is its cause? (The investigation of Dhamma in the Dhamma).
3. Act with Energy (Viriya-sambojjhanga): Commit to wholesome actions consistently. Do not procrastinate. Persevere in practicing mindfulness even when tired.
4. Reward Yourself with Joy and Calmness (Pīti/Passaddhi-sambojjhanga): When good deeds are performed, rejoice in that goodness peacefully (Pīti), and allow the body and mind to rest fully after the practice (Passaddhi).
5. Focus the Mind Steadfastly (Samādhi-sambojjhanga): While working or meditating, concentrate on a single object until calmness is achieved, preventing the mind from wandering.
6. Let Go with Equanimity (Upekkhā-sambojjhanga): When anything happens, whether good or bad (e.g., praise or criticism), simply acknowledge it and remain neutral because everything arises according to conditions. Do not cling to it.

The continuous cultivation of the Bojjhangas 7 is what brings Satipatthana 4 to completion and truly leads to Enlightenment, following the path laid out by the ancient teachers in this sacred prayer text.

๖. Conclusion: The Bojjhangas 7 are the Light to Deliverance

The Bojjhanga Pabba within the Dhammanudhamma Satipatthana is not just a sacred chant, but a detailed map for Dhamma practice that begins with Mindfulness (Sati) and concludes with Equanimity (Upekkhā), which is complete mental balance. The Bojjhangas teach us that Enlightenment is achievable through the balanced and consistent cultivation of these factors, with Yonisomanasikāra as the cause for their arising and the abandonment of Ayonisomanasikāra as the cause for their cessation.

By following the teachings inherited from the Supreme Patriarch (Pussadeve) of Wat Ratchapradit, we can be confident that we are walking the correct path of the Buddha, which has been faithfully preserved according to the principles of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand.

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