The Sanskrit title literally means those things pertaining to enlightenment. They include the prerequisites for the attainment of enlightenment and form the foundation for all schools of Buddhism. For those on the hinayana path they represent the most basic doctrine of the Buddha and the practical application of the Four Noble Truths of the first turning of the wheel of Dharma. They are:

The Four Foundations (applications) of Mindfulness (smrty-upasthana). By deepening your practice of these four, you will develop greater enthusiasm for positive or "wholesome" activities, thus leading to the next four correct efforts or endeavors. See the Maha-satipatthana Sutta.
 1. The foundation of mindfulness of the body
 2. The foundation of mindfulness of feelings
 3. The foundation of mindfulness of the mind
 4. The foundation of mindfulness of phenomena (mental qualities)

The Four Correct Endeavors--four right or perfect efforts (samyak-prahana). With a solid foundation of mindfulness and ethical conduct gained from practicing the first eight, you will be able to further develop a single-pointedness of mind that cannot be sustained by a lesser degree of concentration.
 5. Abandoning or ceasing negative acts
 6. Preventing future negative acts
 7. Enhancing existing positive qualities and past wholesome acts
 8. Laying the foundation for future wholesome acts

The Four Supernatural Feats--bases of psychic power or roads to power (riddhi-pada). Since they require a well-cultivated and unusually focused state of mind they can result in "supernatural" feats and form the bases of psychic (supernormal) power. The first twelve factors all enhance your capacity to remain focused on a chosen object of meditation which leads to the enhancement of all your positive spiritual faculties. The development of supernormal powers and the occurrence of supernatural events are merely a by-product that indicates progress. The exoteric schools, in general, do not emphasize the attainment of supernormal powers as they are thought to be distractions on the path, which they can be, but they are essential on the vajryana or tantric path to achieve the "quick path" to enlightenment.
 9. The supernatural feat of aspiration
10. The supernatural feat of joyous effort
11. The supernatural feat of concentration
12. The supernatural feat of inquiry

The Five Faculties--five roots or controlling factors or dominants (panchaindryani). As these faculties are developed and reach an advanced state they become the five powers.
13. The faculty of faith or devotion
14. The faculty of joyous effort
15. The faculty of mindfulness
16. The faculty of meditative absorption
17. The faculty of wisdom or insight

The Five Powers (bala). As you develop these powers, you will naturally be able follow the core of the Buddha's teaching--The Eight-fold Path.
18. The power of faith or devotion
19. The power of joyous effort
20. The power of mindfulness
21. The power of meditative absorption
22. The power of wisdom or insight

The Eight-fold Path (marga). See the Maha-satipatthana Sutta.
23. Correct view
24. Correct thinking
25. Correct speech
26. Correct action
27. Correct livelihood
28. Correct effort
29. Correct mindfulness
30. Correct concentration

The Seven Limbs (factors, elements, or branches) of Enlightenment or awakening (bodhyanga). See the Maha-satipatthana Sutta and Anapanasati Sutta.
31. The factor of enlightenment consisting of right mindfulness (smriti).
32. The factor of enlightenment consisting of right aspiration or discriminative knowledge--investigation into the nature of phenomena (dharmavicaya).
33. The factor of enlightenment consisting of right joyous effort or persistence (virya).
34. The factor of enlightenment consisting of right joyfulness, rapture, bliss, delight (priti).
35. The factor of enlightenment consisting of right tranquility, subtleness, suppleness, or serenity (passaddhi).
36. The factor of enlightenment consisting of right concentration (samadhi).
37. The factor of enlightenment consisting of right equanimity (upeksha).

These plus the five vidyas, six superknowledges or supernormal powers (abhijna), and eighteen emptinesses (sunyata) are the supramundane dharmas that are practiced by saints or holy ones.

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Page last updated on May 18, 2008 .

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