What Are the Internal and External Factors of Enlightenment?

The first of the seven factors of enlightenment is mindfulness. Inner mindfulness pertains to the mindfulness of the manas, while outer mindfulness pertains to the mindfulness of the consciousness. When the manas lacks the factor of mindfulness, mindfulness cannot be achieved, and the discrimination of phenomena cannot manifest. Therefore, the manas must possess the mental factor of mindfulness. The Hinayana scriptures implicitly mention the mental factor of mindfulness in the manas, let alone the Mahayana scriptures. It is only due to the heavy delusion of sentient beings that they cannot understand the Buddhist scriptures and are unable to discern this.

From the Buddha's description of the seven factors of enlightenment, the manas possesses the factor of discrimination of phenomena, the factor of effort (true diligence), the factor of joy (the manas is not merely characterized by equanimity), the factor of tranquility, the factor of concentration (associated with concentration), and the factor of equanimity. Only when mental activities subsequently accord with the Noble Eightfold Path can the conditions for attaining the Hinayana fruition be fulfilled, enabling one to sever the view of self and realize the first fruition. Otherwise, it will only be a false and counterfeit fruition. If the conditions are not complete and the causes and conditions are insufficient, forceful guidance will only yield a false fruition.

Among the seven factors of enlightenment, there is the factor of discrimination of phenomena. When one cultivates to this stage, one gains discernment. However, when facing matters far beyond one's current level, one again loses the capacity for discrimination, and thus one must continue to cultivate further. The discrimination of phenomena needs to be continuously enhanced until it is perfectly complete, enabling one to immediately and correctly discern all dharmas without doubt.