Reading guide
Faith, defined through the ninefold recollection formula
Confirmed by direct reading, the faculty of faith is defined here through the canon's own well-known ninefold formula — “perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed” — the same recollection formula this project has met defining faith elsewhere in the canon.
Energy, mindfulness, and immersion, each given its own working definition
Confirmed by direct reading, energy is defined as being roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful ones, strong and staunchly vigorous; mindfulness as utmost mindfulness and alertness, able to recall what was said and done long ago; and immersion as gaining unification of mind by relying on letting go (vossaggārammaṇa).
Wisdom, defined by its own object -- arising and passing away
Confirmed by direct reading, the faculty of wisdom is defined here as “the wisdom of arising and passing away” (udayatthagāminī paññā) — noble, penetrative, and leading to the complete ending of suffering — naming impermanence itself as wisdom's own proper object in this discourse.
Key terms
The text
§1 — faith“Mendicants, there are these five faculties. What five? The faculties of faith, energy, mindfulness, immersion, and wisdom. And what is the faculty of faith? It’s when a noble disciple has faith in the Realized One’s awakening: ‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’ This is called the faculty of faith.
§2 — energyAnd what is the faculty of energy? It’s when a noble disciple lives with energy roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful qualities. They’re strong, staunchly vigorous, not slacking off when it comes to developing skillful qualities. This is called the faculty of energy.
§3 — mindfulnessAnd what is the faculty of mindfulness? It’s when a noble disciple is mindful. They have utmost mindfulness and alertness, and can remember and recall what was said and done long ago. This is called the faculty of mindfulness.
§4 — immersionAnd what is the faculty of immersion? It’s when a noble disciple, relying on letting go, gains immersion, gains unification of mind. This is called the faculty of immersion.
§5 — wisdomAnd what is the faculty of wisdom? It’s when a noble disciple is wise. They have the wisdom of arising and passing away which is noble, penetrative, and leads to the complete ending of suffering. This is called the faculty of wisdom. These are the five faculties.”
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