An Analytical Study of the Practice of Bojjhanga for Abandoning Nivarana in the Sangarava Sutta

Abstract

This research article aimed: 1) to study the structure and essential teachings of the Saṅgārava Sutta, 2) to study the principles of Nīvaraṇa and Bojjhaṅga in the Saṅgārava Sutta, and 3) to analytically study the practice of Bojjhaṅga for abandoning Nīvaraṇa in the Saṅgārava Sutta. This qualitative research was conducted through documentary study based on the Tipitaka, commentaries, books, and related research documents, and the findings were presented descriptively. The results revealed that: 1) the Saṅgārava Sutta demonstrates the relationship between Nīvaraṇa and the obstruction of wisdom. The Buddha expounded this discourse to the brahmin Saṅgārava, emphasizing that Nīvaraṇa obstructs wisdom and prevents the mind from perceiving phenomena as they really are as well as from understanding one’s own welfare, the welfare of others, and the welfare of both. The Buddha compared a mind dominated by Nīvaraṇa to turbid water incapable of reflecting images clearly whereas a mind free from Nīvaraṇa resembles clear water through which phenomena can be perceived as they really are. This illustrates that Nīvaraṇa acts as an obstruction to wisdom whereas Bojjhaṅga constitutes the factors of enlightenment that purify the mind and lead to Vijjā and Vimutti. 2) The five Nīvaraṇas consist of kāmacchanda, byāpāda, thīna-middha, uddhacca-kukkucca, and vicikicchā which are unwholesome states causing mental defilement. The seven Bojjhaṅgas consist of sati, dhammavicaya, viriya, pīti, passaddhi, samādhi, and upekkhā which are factors conducive to mental development and are mutually supportive in a progressive sequence. Both Nīvaraṇa and Bojjhaṅga possess their respective causes and nutriments. Nīvaraṇa arises and gains strength through ayonisomanasikāra and the specific nutriments of each hindrance whereas Bojjhaṅga develops through yonisomanasikāra and the cultivation of the Four Satipaṭṭhānas which serve as the nutriment for Bojjhaṅga and constitute important factors for mental development and the abandonment of Nīvaraṇa. 3) The abandonment of Nīvaraṇa in the Saṅgārava Sutta is not achieved through suppression but through the gradual cultivation of Bojjhaṅga. Beginning with mindfulness of phenomena followed by investigation according to causality and the effort to abandon unwholesome states while cultivating wholesome states the mind subsequently develops joy tranquility concentration and equanimity accompanied by wisdom. As a result, Nīvaraṇa gradually weakens and is progressively abandoned, enabling the mind to perceive phenomena as they truly are and leading to Vijjā and Vimutti in accordance with the path taught by the Buddha in the Saṅgārava Sutta.