The Essence of the Buddha’s Teachings – Module 5: The 37 Mental Factors and Four Fruits

This weekend, Lama Kelzang will introduce further essential concepts of Abhidharma, the fundamental phenomenology, some call it “psychology,” in the Buddhist teaching system. These presentations clarify why we, as spiritually gifted human beings, can cultivate and experience inner awakening.

In Part 1 of the course, 37 mental factors will be presented divided into 7 groups, where we will first revisit the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (from Module 4).

They also include:

4 appropriate and necessary efforts

4 foundations for supernatural powers

5 talents

5 powers

7 factors of Spiritual Awakening

and the Noble Eightfold Path

These 37 factors form a framework for spiritual development and lead practitioners from ethical discipline (śīla) and mental concentration (samādhi) to wisdom (prajñā) and ultimately to spiritual awakening (nirvāṇa).

These factors are mentioned in the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra and are connected to earlier teachings such as the Saṁyutta Nikāya and Abhidharma texts.

Part 2

In the Pāli Nikāyas, the Four Fruits are the progressive stages of liberation leading to Arahantship:

   1.   Sotāpanna (Stream-enterer)

   •    Breaks the first three fetters (self-view, doubt, clinging to rites/rituals).

   •    Will attain full awakening within seven lifetimes at most, never reborn in lower realms.

   2.   Sakadāgāmi (Once-returner)

   •    Weakens greed, hatred, and delusion.

   •    Will be reborn in the human realm at most one more time before attaining Arahantship.

   3.   Anāgāmi (Non-returner)

   •    Completely overcomes sensual desire and ill will.

   •    Will not return to the human realm but be reborn in a Pure Abode (suddhāvāsa) and attain final awakening there.

   4.   Arahant

   •    Completely eradicates all ten fetters (including craving for form/existence, restlessness, and ignorance).

   •    Fully liberated, has attained nibbāna in this life, “worthy one.”

Schedule
Friday, October 2. 2026
08:00pm Welcome and introduction of the topic

Saturday, October 3. 2026
07:30 – 08:30am Meditation
10:00 – 11:15am Teaching
03:00 – 04:30pm Teaching

Sunday, October 4. 2026
07:30 – 08:30am Meditation
10:00 – 11:15am Teaching 

English with German translation.

Additional Texts used for daily practrice: PDF Download