When the Song of Enlightenment was sung, The old peach tree blossom 7 times in a row, Forgetting it seasons, blossom in delight, Fragrance of peaches pervade the empty space. ~~~Kenji~~~ The Seven Factors of Awakening (Satta Bojjhanga) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born, the baby stood firmly on the ground and then took seven steps to the north, surrounded by gods and men. There are a few reasons why Prince Siddhartha Gautama took the seven steps, one of the reason is the central and most important developmental sequences of the path is indicated by the Seven factors of Awakening. This sequence of mental factors illustrates how the beginning with mindfulness, we can progressively cultivate skillful mental qualities which lead up to and eventually culminate in meditative composure. These seven factors of awakening are mindfulness (sati), dhamma-investigation (dhammavicaya), energy (viriya), joy (piti), tranquility (passaddhi), meditative composure (samadhi), and equanimity (upekkha). The Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Pali: Satta Bojjhanga) which are: 1. Mindfulness (sati) - to remember the Dhamma 2. Investigation (dhamma vicaya) of the Dhamma 3. Energy (viriya) 4. Joy or rapture (piti) 5. Relaxation or tranquility (passaddhi) of both body and mind 6. Concentration (samadhi) a calm, one-pointed state of concentration of mind 7. Equanimity (upekkha), to be able to face life in all its vicissitudes with calm of mind and tranquility, without disturbance, with dispassion and detachment. There is also another meaning about the Seven steps he had taken when Little Buddha declared, this is his last rebirth, meaning he will/had conquered The Wheel of Samsara. He had overcome all sufferings. The Seven steps that Buddha also represents how Lord Buddha would transcend the six realms of suffering (Samsara) and take the extra step into enlightenment. It is also a reminder to all of us as Buddhists on the aim and purpose for us to be born in this life which is to achieve enlightenment and be free of Samsara. In Samsara we experience Seven types of sufferings: 1. Birth 2. Old age 3. Illness 4. Death 5. Afflictions >>> Encountering things we dislike 6. Attachment >>> Having to part with things we like 7. Seeking and Wanting (Desire) >>> Unable to fulfill ones wishes _( )_ _( )_ _( )_ _( )_ _( )_ _( )_ _( )_ _( )_ _( )_ _( )_ ( )_ _( )_ _( )_ _( )_
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:50:51 +0000
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