Five Controlling Factors A Unity Admist Varities - Book Summary

This article, "Five Controlling Factors: A Unity Amidst Varieties" by Prof. Mahesh Tiwary, explores a crucial set of principles within Buddhist philosophy, known as the Pañcindriya bhāvana or the five controlling factors. The author highlights that the Buddha, deeply moved by the suffering inherent in existence, sought effective remedies. Among these, the practice of the five controlling factors stands out as a powerful method for achieving harmony in this life and the next, ultimately leading to the realization of Nibbana (enlightenment).

The five controlling factors are identified as:

Faith as a controlling factor (Saddhindriyam): This refers to a mental state that purifies the mind and inspires endeavor towards higher realization. It acts like a gem that clarifies impure water, removing hindrances and fostering confidence to pursue spiritual growth. It's defined by believing or confiding, with purification as its function, freedom from pollution as its manifestation, and worthy objects of faith (like hearing the Dharma) as its cause.
Energy as a controlling factor (Viriyindriyam): In its technical sense, energy is a mental support that ensures moral qualities remain firm. It's likened to a pillar supporting a falling thatch, preventing the collapse of good states. Its characteristic is strengthening, its function is supporting co-existent states, and its manifestation is opposition to giving way, with agitation as its proximate cause.
Mindfulness as a controlling factor (Satindriyam): This is a state of awareness that serves two functions: reminding oneself of good qualities and identifying beneficial or unbeneficial mental states. It acts like a vigilant doorkeeper at the mind's door, creating alertness and reminding practitioners of various moral states. It also distinguishes helpful practices from harmful ones, encouraging the cultivation of the former and the abandonment of the latter. Its characteristic is reminding, its function is fighting forgetfulness, and its manifestation is guarding or directing the mind.
Concentration as a controlling factor (Samadhindriyam): This is the complete and proper absorption of the mind on a particular object, specifically with moral consciousness. It draws the mind from distractions and focuses it, acting as a controlling and guiding factor. It's described as the leader of all good qualities, attracting and regulating the mind. Its characteristic is non-wandering, its function is to conglomerate moral states, and its manifestation is peace, with bliss as its proximate cause. The text distinguishes between concentration on objects with form (Rupa-samādhi) and formless objects (Arupa-sama thi), both leading to the suppression of hindrances and the purification of the mind.
Understanding as a controlling factor (Paññindriyam): This goes beyond mere perception or knowing. While perception grasps the apparent form of an object, and knowing penetrates its impermanent and suffering-prone nature, understanding goes further by realizing this nature and cultivating detachment. It trains the mind to see things as they truly are. Its characteristics are "cutting off" and "shedding flood of light," removing ignorance and illuminating wisdom. It penetrates the nature of phenomena, making the Four Noble Truths clear, like a lamp in a dark room.

The article then discusses the practice and balancing of these factors. It emphasizes understanding their four-fold ways of examination, repeated observation, and cultivating them with friendliness. A key practical suggestion is the equanimity of the five faculties, ensuring none become too strong or too weak, as this can hinder the proper functioning of others.

Specifically, the text highlights the need to balance:

Faith and Understanding: Strong faith without understanding can lead to uncritical belief and superstition, while strong understanding without faith can lead to distraction and bewilderment.
Energy and Concentration: Strong concentration with weak energy can result in idleness, while strong energy with weak concentration leads to distraction and agitation.

Mindfulness is presented as a crucial, universally needed factor that protects the mind from agitation and idleness, acting as a "seasoning of salt in all sauces."

Finally, the author explains how these balanced factors lead to the realization of Nibbana. Mindfulness creates a conducive atmosphere, faith provides confidence, energy offers support, and concentration removes hindrances. Understanding, in this environment, allows one to directly perceive the impermanent, suffering, and substanceless nature of reality, leading to the curtailment of attachment and, consequently, the elimination of suffering. This unified outcome, achieved through seemingly diverse factors, is likened to the different parts of an army working towards a single goal: victory. The article concludes by reiterating that these five factors, despite their distinct functions, ultimately converge to negate suffering and lead to a state of eternal bliss, embodying a "unity amidst diversity."