Persistence as a Factor of Awakening

Week of July 10, 2005 – Persistence as a Factor of Awakening

The third factor in the Seven Factors of Awakening is Persistence. Persistence or effort is present in all seven sets of the 37 Aids to Enlightenment either implicitly or explicitly; it is a very important and vital element.

The Seven Sets of the 37 Aids to Enlightenment:
1) The Four Bases Of Mindfulness – (implicit)
2) The Four Efforts – (explicit)
3) The Four Bases of Miraculous Power – third base (explicit)
4) The Five Faculties – second faculty (explicit)
5) The Five Strength – second strength (explicit)
6) The Seven Factors of Awakening – second factor (explicit)
7) The Noble Eightfold Path – sixth path (explicit)

Persistence, also known as perseverance or effort, denotes:
1) Making effort at practice
2) Zeal or non-retreating progress
3) Practicing the true teaching restlessly
4) Strenuous and sustained effort to overcome laziness
5) Strength of character and the persistent effort for the well-being of others
6) Right endeavor to attain concentration

In the absence of sustained efforts in practicing Insight Meditation, craving slips in and the meditator comes under its influence. Right effort or persistence is required to overcome laziness and deviation from concentration.

After one has discriminated, investigated and evaluated various methods of practice and, finally, chosen the correct method that fits best, proper effort or endeavor is necessary to the application of the practice in order to advance. The factor of Discrimination on the teaching requires the practitioner to make prudent and proper subjective judgments; likewise, the factor of Persistence requires one to put in prudent and proper personal effort.

Persistent effort is necessary for all practice in order to progress and advance. Thus in the beginning of all our practices, we may need to deliberately put in time and effort. However, after a while, persistence should become part of our nature and we should not have difficulties in pursuing our practice. If one still has to struggle to put in an effort after a lengthy period of practicing, something is wrong or incorrect; one should evaluate the situation thoroughly.

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. Joy is the next factor of Awakening, which we will talk about in our next email.

We have discussed Persistence in various aspects in the different sets of the 37 Aids. Notice how persistence plays different roles and positions in each set – their interdependence and correlation – that is Discrimination on the teaching!

Learning Buddhism is so much fun, you just have to be persistent enough to “realize the Joy in the Dharma.”

Keep on practicing and develop the Persistent Factor of Awakening!