There are seven Factors of Enlightenment given by the Buddha:
1. Mindfulness
Of the seven factors, mindfulness is the foremost. It must be developed at all times in full measure.
The other six factors fall into two groups:
(1) Those which tend to exert the mind when it needs to be exerted.
(2) Those that subdue the mind when it needs to be subdued.
One important facet of mindfulness is to determine which factor needs developing. The following list gives the methods recommended for developing each factor.
Factors Exerting the Mind
2. Investigation of States
Asking questions of a teacher; studying
Making the basis clean; body, clothes, and home clean and neat
Balancing the Five Faculties
Avoiding persons without understanding
Cultivating association of persons with understanding
“Reviewing the field for the exercise of profound knowledge”; that is, applying one’s Dhamma knowledge to the mental factors as they arise
Resoluteness upon the investigation of states
3. Energy
Reviewing the fearfulness of the states of loss (hell, etc.) as a grounds for urgency
Seeing the benefits in obtaining the mundane and supramundane distinctions dependent upon energy (that is, jhana and enlightenment)
Reviewing the Path as “this is the Path trod by Buddhas and is not for idlers”
Reviewing the greatness of the Buddha, knowing that “the Buddha praised the energetic, not the slothful”
Reviewing the greatness of the heritage, thus “it is the Great Heritage of the Dhamma that I seek and it cannot be obtained by an idler”
Removing stiffness and torpor by perception of light, change of posture, frequenting the open air, etc.
Avoiding idle persons
Cultivating association of energetic persons
Reviewing the Four Right Endeavours (encouraging wholesome mental states already arisen and not yet arisen; discouraging unwholesome mental states already arisen and not yet arisen)
Resoluteness upon that energy
Recollection of the Buddha
Recollection of the Dhamma
Recollection of the Sangha
Recollection of virtuous acts one has performed
Recollection of generous acts one has performed
Recollection of deities
Recollection of peace
Avoiding rough persons
Cultivating association of refined persons
Reviewing encouraging discourses
Resoluteness upon that happiness
Factors Subduing the Mind
5. Tranquillity
Using superior food
Living in a good climate (avoiding temperature extremes and other bodily discomfort)
Maintaining a pleasant posture
“Keeping to the middle”; avoiding extremes of too tense or too relaxed, etc.
Avoiding violent persons
Cultivating association of persons tranquil in body
Resoluteness upon that tranquillity
6. Concentration
Making the basis clean; body, clothes, and home clean and neat
Balancing the Five Faculties
Restraining the mind when it ought to be restrained
Exerting the mind when it ought to be exerted
Encouraging the listless mind by means of faith and a sense of urgency
Looking on with equanimity at what is occurring rightly
Avoiding of unconcentrated persons
Cultivating association of persons who have obtained skill in concentration
Reviewing of the jhanas and liberations
Resoluteness upon that concentration
7. Equanimity
Maintaining neutrality toward living beings
Maintaining neutrality toward formations and inanimate things
Avoiding persons who show favouritism toward living beings and inanimate things
Cultivating association of persons who maintain neutrality toward living beings and inanimate things
Resoluteness upon that equanimity
source and & courtesy
