Seven Sets

Category: Marga

From Buddhist Encyclopedia

Also known as 37 Factors of Enlightenment or the Wings to Awakening (Pali: bodhi pakkhiya dhamma)

The Buddha mentioned the seven sets as a group many times when he summarizing his main teachings.

• The Four Frames of Reference (Pali: satipṭṭhāna)
• The Four Right Exertions (Pali: sammappadhāna)
• The Four Bases of Power (Pali: iddhipāda)
• The Five Faculties (Pali: indriya)
• The Five Strengths (Pali: bala)
• The Seven Factors of Awakening (Pali: bojjhanga)
• The Noble Eightfold Path (Pali: ariya-magga)

The seven sets have played an important role throughout the history of Buddhism, in all of its various branches. They provided the framework for the earliest Abhidharma texts, systematic presentations of the doctrine that were added to the Pali Canon a few centuries after the Buddha's passing away. They were also part of the first Buddhist text translated into Chinese.

Tantric Buddhism features mandalas containing 37 deities, symbolic of the 37 factors making up the seven sets. Tibetan architecture identifies the various parts of a standard stupa design as symbols of the seven sets.

Reference

• The Wings of Awakening by Thanissaro Bhikkhu