Similes for the awakening factors?

Q & A
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There are some excellent similes for the hindrances in the suttas. One is in SN46.55 (things that prevent seeing one’s reflection in a bowl of water). Another (DN2/MN39) is particularly helpful, as the similes cover not only what it is like to be under the influence of the hindrance (debt, illness, prison, slavery, dangerous journey), but what it is like to give them up.

There are also similes for the experience of jhāna (DN2/MN39).

I don’t recall any similes for the seven factors of awakening (as a group - there are various similes to do with mindfulness, etc). Are there any (in suttas, vinaya, or later texts).

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I can’t say absolutely, but I didn’t seem to come across any as I did indexing (DN is not done yet, though.)

https://index.readingfaithfully.org/#awakening-factors-seven-bojjhanga

Except SN46.77, but that’s probably not what you are looking for.

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Thanks, that is a nice simile, but I was thinking of something that develops the individual parts.
AN7.67 (Nagaropamasutta: The Citadel) is close to what I was looking for, with mindfulness as a gatekeeper, armed forces as energy, etc.

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Right. I don’t think there is one for all seven as a set. But you can of course check the index for individual similes for each item.

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SN 46.53 has some similes for the energizing and tranquilizing factors as groups, but not individually.

SN 46.42 compares the seven factors to the seven treasures of a Wheel-Turning Monarch. The commentary (I believe?) fleshes out each correspondence.

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Thanks! Unfortunately, Bhikkhu Bodhi’s translation of that sutta doesn’t include a summary of the commentary.

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Yes, it seems it hasn’t been translated into English. Until now! :grin:

Here’s my translation for the last part of the SN46.42 commentary, talking about the correspondences:

The treasure of the mindfulness awakening factor The literal meaning should be known already. Just as the Wheel Treasure of a Wheel-Turning Monarch is the first among his treasures, the mindfulness awakening factor precedes the four stages of the Dhamma.

The elephant treasure of a wheel-turning monarch is born in a grand body, lofty, vast, and mighty. Here, the treasure of the investigation of dhammas awakening factor is born of the grand Dharma body, lofty, vast and mighty and is therefor comparable to an elephant.

The horse treasure of a wheel-turning monarch is swift, agile, and strong. Here, the treasure of the energy awakening factor is swift, agile, and strong. Being swift, agile, and strong, it is thus comparable to a horse.

The gemstone treasure of a wheel-turning monarch scatters the darkness and reveals the light. Here, the treasure of the awakening factor of joy which is entirely wholesome, scatters the darkness of the kilesas and reveals the light of understanding. Destroying darkness and revealing light, it is thus comparable to a gemstone.

The wheel-turning monarch’s woman treasure allays his bodily and mental angst and subdues his fevers. Here, the treasure of the awakening factor of tranquility allays bodily and mental angst and subdues fevers, and so is comparable to the woman treasure.

The treasurer of a wheel-turning monarch, having put an end to confusion and doubt with respect to what is valuable, makes the king’s mind unified and clear. Here, the treasure of the awakening factor of immersion has the capacity to provide what is desired, namely absorption. Having put an end to confusion and doubt with respect to what is valuable, it makes the mind unified and clear, and is thus comparable to a treasurer.

The counselor of a wheel-turning monarch assuages his concerns. Here, the treasure of the awakening factor of equanimity, freeing the secret agitation arisen in the mind, establishes neutrality, sets aside pride, and assuages concerns. Assuaging concerns, it is thus comparable to a counselor.

(Obviously happy if any real translators have feedback on the above translation :smile: :pray: )

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Thanks, that’s awesome. :pray:

Is:

a literal translation? Presumably it refers to his wives/consorts/etc?

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Quite literal yes (at least to my understanding):

cakkavattino itthiratanaṃ kāyacittadarathaṃ paṭipassambheti, pariḷāhaṃ vūpasameti.

pariḷāhaṃ literally means fever but symbolically often means burning up with passion. The implication here seems to be that she allays his sexual frustration in the obvious way.

But, the Pāḷi here is a bit tasteful. One could also imagine the queen gently flirting with her king after a stressful day at court or wiping his body with a wet cloth during a literal (sickness-induced) fever…

Present-day sex workers, for example, say that this kind of not-sexual-but-still-intimate comfort is a large part of their job, and I imagine that this would be true in royal harems back in the day too. The Pāḷi as I read it leaves room for this broader understanding of the consort’s role.

So yes, that is how I read it :blush: The Pāḷi itthi just means “woman”

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