An Analytical Study of The Seven Factors of Enlightenment in Bojjhaṇga Sutta as a Protection Against Sickness in Theravāda Buddhist Perspective
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Abstract
This article aims to promote understanding of the meanings and types of the seven
factors of enlightenment (sattabojjhaṇga), how we contemplate these factors according to the
teachings of the Enlightened One, how they cure all sickness according to the Pāḷi Canon,
and why they can cure the sickness in Theravāda Buddhist perspective.
From this study, it is found that the term Bojjhaṇga is derived from two words: bodhi
and aṇga. Bodhi means enlightenment or insight of the realization of the Four Noble Truths:
the Noble Truth of Suffering, the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering, the Noble Truth of the
Cessation of Suffering, and the Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering.
Aṇga means factors or limbs. Therefore Bojjhaṇga means the factors of enlightenment. The
development of the factors of enlightenment causes the knowledge leading to wisdom and
peace to arise. So these factors are called the factors of perfected knowledge. If a monk
cultivates and develops the seven factors of enlightenment, he inclines to Nibbāna, tends to
Nibbāna and walks towards Nibbāna.
Firstly, the findings show the meaning of the seven factors of enlightenment and
the types of the seven factors of enlightenment. Secondly, the research examined the
application of these factors by the contemplation of the seven factors of enlightenment. Finally,
the article touched upon two kinds of sickness, two kinds of medicines, and bojjhaṇgas as
the medical healing applied by the development of these factors. Therefore the seven factors
of enlightenment are one of the categories of spiritual qualities frequently mentioned by the
Buddha as very beneficial for spiritual development.
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Views and opinions expressed in the articles published by The Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Universities (JIABU), are of responsibility by such authors but not the editors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors.
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