The Second Bojjhangga - Investigative of Dhamma

(from http://www.shiftedreality.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/darkness_to_light_2560x1600.jpg)

Tonight talk by Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa at BMBMC is the continuance of yesterday talk about the 7 Bojjhanggas.
In yesterday talk, Sayadaw expounded about Sati-sambojjhanga. So, tonight the talk is about dhamma-vicaya-sambojjhanga or Investigative of Dhamma

To know that there is the arises or not arises of this bojjhanga, yogis should know the three aspects of this bojjhanga namely

1. its characteristic
2. its function
3. its manifestation

What is the characteristic of this bojjhanga?
It is the investigating or the penetrating of Rupa and Nama dhammas in their individual essence. Investigation means the discerning and perceiving the true nature of Rupa and Nama, its arising and passing away and the association with impermanence, suffering and uncontrollable.

What then is its function?
The function of this bojjhanga is like a lamp that illuminate as it allows one to clearly see the rupa and nama.

What is the manifestation of dhamma-vicaya-bojjhanga?
This bojjhanga manifests in yogis as a form of non-bewilderment or clear comprehension. Just like in a dark forest, a person does not know the directions but as soon as there is light he knows the direction. The arising of this bojjhanga enable yogis to discern clearly the nature of Rupa and Nama dhammas

Therefore, Sayadaw said, that if a person mention that I feel pain when pain arises he still has wrong you as I feel is a form of clinging. This is sakkaya ditthi and one can still fall into Apaya

Investigative of Dhamma will give rise to knowledge. At this point, yogis should know that there are 3 type of knowledge or nanna.

1. Sutta-nana - knowledge gained from learning or listening to Dhamma
2. Citta-nana - knowledge gained from thinking
3. Bhavana-nana - knowledge from observing or discerning Rupa and Nama right at the present moment

Out of these three nana, it is the bhavana-nana will help a yogi abandon sakkaya ditthi. It is from the arises of this nana will the dhammavicaya bojjhanga arises.

What is the cause that this dhammavicaya bojjhanga that has yet arises will arises?
Sayadaw said it is Yoniso-manasikara - observing and noting of all phenomena in all time.

In the Commentaries, it is stated that there are 7 ways for the arising of dhammavicaya bojjhanga, namely

1. Inquiring and questioning of the Dhamma
2. Purification of the bases (internal and external) for example cleanliness of body (internal), clothes or bed (external)
3. Balancing of the 5 Faculties namely Faith, Energy, Mindfulness, Concentration and Understanding
4. Avoiding ignorance people that are ignorant of Rupa and Nama
5. Associate with wise people who are knowledgeable about arising and passing away
6. Reflects on profound Dhamma (Teaching of Lord Buddha)
7. Inclination toward investigation of gaining knowledge

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu