Equanimity. To accept reality as-it-is without craving or aversion.
This evaluation of seven awakeningfactors is one of the "Seven Sets" of "Awakening-related states". The Pali word bojjhanga is a compound of bodhi and anga.
bodh - an abstract noun formed from the verbal root *budh- corresponding to the verbs bujjhati and bodhati or budhyate ;
aṅga - a part of a whole; factor, cause.
Pali literature
In the Sutta Pitaka's Samyutta Nikaya, the bojjhangas refer to wholesome, mundane factors leading to enlightenment. In the Abhidhamma and Pali commentaries, the bojjhangas tend to refer to supramundane factors concurrent with enlightenment.
Sutta Pitaka
According to one discourse in the Samyutta Nikaya entitled "Bhikkhu Sutta" : During meditation, one may contemplate the seven Factors of Enlightenment as well as on their antithesis, the Five Hindrances. In addition, one Samyutta Nikaya sutta identifies developing each of the enlightenment factors accompanied by each of the four brahma viharas. In the Samyutta Nikaya's "Fire Discourse," the Buddha identifies that mindfulness is "always useful" ; while, when one's mind is sluggish, one should develop the enlightenment factors of investigation, energy and joy; and, when one's mind is excited, one should develop the enlightenment factors of tranquility, concentration and equanimity. Again according to the Samyutta Nikaya, once when the Buddha was gravelyill he asked Venerable Mahacunda to recite the seven Factors of Enlightenment to him. In such a way the Buddha was cured of his illness.
Abhidhamma and commentarial literature
In the Visuddhimagga, in a section discussing skills needed for the attainment and maintenance of absorption, Buddhaghosa identifies the bojjhangas in the following fashion:
"Strong mindfulness... is needed in all instances...."
"When his mind is slack with over-laxness of energy, etc., then... he should develop those beginning with investigation-of-states...".
"When his mind is agitated through over-energeticness, etc., then... he should develop those beginning with tranquility...".
Meditation
The seven factors of awakening are closely related to the practice of dhyana, resembling the various factors that are part of the four dhyanas. In meditation everyone most likely experiences two of the five hindrances. They are sloth and torpor, which is half-hearted action with little or no collectedness, and restlessness and worry, which is the inability to calm the mind. As indicated above, in the "Fire Discourse", it is recommended that joy or rapture, investigation, and energy are to be developed when experiencing sloth and torpor. Relaxation, concentration, and equanimity are to be developed when experiencing restlessness or worry. Mindfulness should be constantly present to remain aware of physical change as well as mental change in either skillful or unskillful direction.
