Joy as a Factor of Awakening

Week of July 10, 2005 – Rapture (Joy) as a Factor of Awakening

The third factor in the Seven Factors of Awakening is Rapture. Unlike other factors, Rapture is not mentioned explicitly anywhere else in the 37 Aids to Enlightenment.

Rapture, also known as joy, denotes:
1) Rejoicing in the truth
2) Happiness that arises when the mind receives the true dharma - the feeling of delight and contentment in dharma
3) The pleasure that is derived through the discrimination of the mental (sixth) consciousness
4) The mental factor that belongs to the group of mental formations and is reflected in physical sensations

In the vertical mode of thinking, after one has first discriminated, investigated and evaluated various methods of practice and, finally, chosen the correct method that fits best, then, second, put in the proper effort or endeavor that is necessary to the application of the practice in order to advance, rapture is the natural outcome that follows.

In the horizontal mode of thinking,
1) The Four Bases of Mindfulness lead to the application of or correlate to the first factor of “Discrimination on the teaching”
2) The Four Efforts lead to the application of or correlate to the Persistence factor of awakening
3) The Four Bases of Miraculous Power lead to the application of or correlate to the Rapture factor of awakening
4) The Five Faculties lead to the application of or correlate to the Serenity factor of awakening
5) The Five Strengths lead to the application of or correlate to the Mindfulness factor of awakening
6) The Seven Factors of Awakening lead to the application of or correlate to the Concentration factor of awakening
7) The Noble Eightfold Path leads to the application of or correlates to the Equanimity factor of awakening

As mentioned in the last email, once we derive joy from our practice, or in Buddhist terms, “realize the Joy in the Dharma”, this joy will become a driving force and provide tremendous zeal and energy to enable us to overcome all obstacles and difficulties. When Rapture arises, it increases our energy level and thus reduces desire, removes hatred and anger, strengthens concentration and brings in tranquility, which helps us to prevail over ignorance.

This Rapture is not attained through an external stimulus but is derived internally through our practices and understanding/realization of the Dharma. Rapture is experienced during the first and second levels of Jhana. There are various levels and kinds of rapture.

According to the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, "Whenever in him who is steadfast in energy arises super-sensuous rapture, he knows well that he has attained and developed the Rapture factor of enlightenment."

Once you have attained and developed the Rapture factor of awaking, this joy will reside in you at all times, the four elements in your body will have been transformed and the three poisons of desire, hatred and ignorance within you will have lessened. Thus Rapture is a very good indicator of whether you are practicing on the right path as well as providing you with tremendous zeal and energy to further advance in your practice.

Let’s develop the Rapture factor of awakening by helping each other in our practice and sharing our joy in hearing the Huayen Dharma!