Understanding Numbered Lists in Buddhism

What are the numbered lists in Buddhism?

It seems that Buddhism is overflowing with “lists” and “numbers”.  To the new Buddhist, it is not only overwhelming but confusing!  This article, and graphic, will help find a few of these lists!

Buddhism Cheat Sheet

Before we get into all the “numbers” of Buddhism, here is a nice “cheat sheet” I made up for you with some of the important lists in Buddhism!  Right in the middle, you will find the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path (and if you look closely, you can see the Dharma Wheel).  (Note:  “Cheat Sheet” is a generic term that refers to a quick reference of terms/information/lists)

Scroll past the graphic to see how you can get a printable version!

Why Are There Lists?

So, what’s the deal with all these numbers and lists?

• In the Buddha’s time (and after) in the region he was born (generally in the area where present-day India and Nepal are located), it was believed that the oral word, rather than the written, was the most sanctified way of preserving and presenting religious teachings.  And with the Buddha’s wealth of teachings and concepts (many of which could be extremely complicated), “lists” were a necessity for those monastics who had to commit it to memory.  It was not until much later (hundreds of years later, in the first century BCE) that monastics even decided to start committing the Buddha’s teachings to the written word.
• These lists and numbers are perfect for our modern world.  We have become so time-crunched, impatient, and fans of “lists”, that the Buddha is once again ahead of his time.  By having lists and numbers, we have the structure to the teachings to help us with remembering them and applying them to our daily lives and practice.
• While this article will not attempt to cover every single numbered list in Buddhism, I hope you will find it both informative and entertaining!  Note:  This list is not all-inclusive, and I plan on updating this article with more when possible.

The Big List of Numbers

The following will provide the lists/numbers grouped by how many “numbers” they have in them.  For example, the “Four Noble Truths” will be in the “4” category.

1

• 1 Person: The one person whose birth into the world is for the welfare of many people, known as a Tathagata (Buddha)
  
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• 1 Mind:  Focused, undisturbed mind, concentrating on a single object.
• 1 Individual:  You, as an unrealized Buddha.

2

• 2 Truths: The definition of the Two Truths varies between the different schools in Buddhism.  However, these generally refer to the teachings (Dharama) and the world we live in.  The absolute/ultimate truth would refer to Dependent Origination, whereas relative/conventional truth would refer to what we know now.
  1. Relative/Conventional Truth (Samvrti), and
  2. Absolute/Ultimate Truth (Paramartha).

3

• 3 Refuges (Jewels) / Triple Gem:  All Buddhists take refuge in the Three Jewels which make up the foundation of Buddhist practice and faith.
  1. The Buddha (awakened one),
  2. The Dharma (his teachings), and
  3. The Sangha (monastic community/teachers).
     
     Click here to learn about the Triple Gem
• Tripitaka (3 baskets) of Buddhist Cannon: When the Buddha’s teachings were first written down hundreds of years after his death, they were placed in ‘baskets’.  Theravada’s “Pali Canon” refers to their canon of scriptures as the “Tipitaka”, however, there were many other Buddhist s.  Most lay Buddhists refer to the Sutras (basket #1).
  1. Sutras (teachings),
  2. Abhidharma (commentaries on the Sutras), and
  3. Vinaya (laws and precepts).
     
     Click here to learn more about the Buddhist Scripture
• 3 Dharma Seals:  The following is the Three Dharma Seals in the Mahayana tradition.  Dharma Seals are the criteria to be found in any genuine teaching of the Buddha, and can identify any incorrectly attributed scripture.
  1. Impermanence (Anicca),
  2. No-Self (Anatta), and
  3. Nirvana.
     
     Click here to learn more about the Three Dharma Seals
• 3 Bodies (Trikaya): In Mahayana Buddhism, a Buddha can manifest themselves three different ways to help others.
  1. Truth Body (Dharmakaya). Perfect enlightenment and/or Buddha Nature.
  2. Bliss/Reward Body (Sambhogakaya).  When the body feels the “bliss” of enlightenment, and also when a Buddha is used as a devotional object.
  3. The Emanation Body (Nirmanakaya).  Where a Buddha (and even a Bodhisattva) can manifest in countless forms to help liberate suffering beings.
• 3 Marks of Existence: All beings have these three characteristics, however, our ignorance and delusion about them leads us to Dukkha (suffering/dissatisfaction).
  1. Impermanence (Anicca),
  2. No-Self (Anatta), and
  3. Dukkha.
• 3 Poisons: Also referred to as the 3 Roots of Evil, these are the source of all unskillful actions.
  1. Greed/Attachment (Raga),
  2. Hatred/Aversion (Dvesa), and
  3. Ignorance (Moha).
• 3 Realms of Existence:  Also referred to as the Desire Realm, Form Realm, and Formless Realm.  These explain our living conditions, mindset, and how we perceive things in the following three realms.
  1. Realm of Five Components (refer to the Five Skandhas),
  2. Realm of Living Beings, and
  3. Realm of Environment.
• 3 Pillars of Zen:  The foundation of Zen Buddhism, and the title of a bestselling book.
  1. Teaching,
  2. Practice, and
  3. Enlightenment.
• 3-Fold (Higher) Training: Training practice, according to the Buddha, that leads to enlightenment and Nirvana when fully accomplished.
  • Morality,
  • Meditative Concentration, and
  • Wisdom.

4

• 4 Noble Truths:  The foundation of Buddhism, and the very first teaching of the Buddha, reveals the truth about our condition, and how to overcome it.
  1. In the cycle of rebirth/existence, there is Dukkha (suffering/dissatisfaction),
  2. Causes of Dukkha are due to our attachments and clinging (greed, anger, and ignorance),
  3. Dukkha can cease (Nirvana / Enlightenment), and
  4. The Way to end Dukkha is by following the 8-fold Path.
     
     Click here to learn more about the Four Noble Truths
• 4 Means of Embracing:  Tools to help us on the Bodhisattva path with saving all sentient beings.
  1. Giving charity,
  2. Kind words,
  3. Altruism/benefiting others, and
  4. Sympathy/Empathy.
• 4 Attachments:  These are the types of “clinging”/”fuel” (Upadana) which leads to Dukkha.
  1. Self-Doctrine clinging (Attavadupadana),
  2. Wrong-View clinging (Ditthupadana),
  3. Rites-and-Rituals clinging (Silabbatupadana), and
  4. Sense-Pleasure clinging (Kamupadana).
     
     Click here to learn more about Attachment
• 4 Dharma Seals: All variations of the Dharma Seals were created after the Buddha’s death to reflect true Buddhist teachings.  All must be contained for it to be an authentic teaching.  The 4 Dharma Seals are traditional to Theravada Buddhism, whereas Mahayana Buddhism often uses the 3 Dharma Seals (see prior section).
  1. Impermanence (Anicca),
  2. Dukkha,
  3. Non-Self (Anatta), and
  4. Nirvana.
• 4 Stages of Enlightenment:  The types of Buddhist practitioners, and their level of enlightenment.
  1. Stream-Enterer (Sotapanna),
  2. Once Returner (Sakadagami),
  3. Non-Returner (Anagami), and
  4. Arahant.
• 4 Brahama Viharas:  Considered to be the highest emotions.
  1. Metta (Loving-Kindness),
  2. Karuna (Compassion),
  3. Mudita (Joy), and
  4. Upekkha (Equanimity).
• 4 Frames of Reference (Satipatthana): This is a set of teachings that help the meditator focus their attention, and how. These are part of the 7 sets of qualities conducive to enlightenment.
  1. Focused/Mindful of the body (Kaya)
  2. Focused/Mindful of feelings or sensations (Vedana)
  3. Focused/Mindful of the Mind or Consciousness (Citta)
  4. Focused/Mindful of Dhammas (e.g., “mental objects”)
• 4 Right Exertions/Efforts (Sammappadhana): This is a set of teachings that are based upon “Right Effort” from the Noble Eightfold Path. These are part of the 7 sets of qualities conducive to enlightenment.
  1. Non-Arising (Anuppadaya)
     1. for the sake of the non-arising of evil, unskillful qualities that have not yet arisen…
  2. Abandonment (Pahanaya)
     1. for the sake of the abandoning of evil, unskillful qualities that have arisen…
  3. Arising (Uppadaya)
     1. for the sake of the arising of skillful qualities that have not yet arisen…
  4. Maintenace (Thitiya)
     1. for the maintenance, non-confusion, increase, plenitude, development, and culmination of skillful qualities that have arisen.
• 4 Bases of Power/Potency (Iddhipada): This is a set of teachings the Buddha says are beneficial to attaining enlightenment. These are part of the 7 sets of qualities conducive to enlightenment.
  1. Desire (i.e., intention, aspiration, purpose, will)
  2. Persistence (i.e., effort, energy)
  3. Intentness (i.e., consciousness, thoughts, mind)
  4. Ingenuity (i.e., analysis, investigation, contemplation)

5

• 5 Precepts: Precepts for lay Buddhists to live an ethical life in pursuit of enlightenment.
  1. Refrain from killing harming, or violating others
  2. Refrain from stealing or taking what is not yours
  3. Refrain from sexual misconduct
  4. Refrain from lying, gossip, or harsh speech
  5. Refrain from intoxicants or stimulants
• 5 Realms of Rebirth:  Revealed by the Buddha in the Mahasihanada Sutra as destinations for rebirth.  Contemporary interpretation is that these are analogies for how we exist at any given time in our current world.
  1. Hell,
  2. Animal,
  3. (Hungry) Ghosts,
  4. Humans, and
  5. Celestial Beings (such as Devas)
     
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• 5 Contemplations/Remembrances:  The Buddha’s recommendations for daily contemplation.
  1. You are subject to aging,
  2. You are subject to illness,
  3. You are subject to death,
  4. You are subject to be separated from all that you love, and
  5. You are the owner of your actions (karma).
• 5 Skandhas (Aggregates):  Temporary, conditioned phenomena, which create the illusion of “self”.
  1. Form/Matter (Rupa),
  2. Feelings/Sensations (Vedana),
  3. Perceptions (Samjna),
  4. Mental Formations/Volition (Samskara), and
  5. Consciousness (Vijnana).
     
     Click here to learn more about the Five Aggregates
• 5 Hindrances:  These are the hindrances to meditation where any of them (or a combination) will be impactful.
  1. Sense Desire
  2. Anger
  3. Laziness
  4. Agitation and Worry
  5. Extreme Skepticism
• 5 Faculties (Indriya) and the 5 Strengths (Bala): This is a set of teachings the Buddha says are beneficial to attaining enlightenment.  I have included both the Faculties and Strengths as one list for convenience only as they both have the same verbiage.  These are part of the 7 sets of qualities conducive to enlightenment.
  1. Faith / Conviction (Saddha)
  2. Energy / Persistence (Viriya)
  3. Mindfulness / Memory (Sati)
  4. Wisdom / Understanding (Panna)
• 5 Poisons (Panca Klesavisa):  Similar to the 3 Poisons, this list adds two more to it.  This is specific to Mahayana.
  • Ignorance (Moha)
  • Attachment (Raga)
  • Aversion (Dvesha)
  • Pride (Mana)
  • Envy (Irshya)

6

• 6 Sense Doors:  Everything we experience comes through these portals.  These senses are experienced as either pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.
  1. Eye (seeing),
  2. Ear (hearing),
  3. Nose (smelling),
  4. Tongue (tasting),
  5. Body (touching), and
  6. Mind (thoughts).
• 6 Realms of Existence: Analogies for conditioned existences within samsara (cycle of rebirth) where beings are reborn.
  1. 3 Upper – Heaven, Asura, Human; and
  2. 3 Lower – Animal, Hungry Ghost, Hell
• 6 Kinds of Temperaments (Carita):  Used as guides in samadhi meditation.
  1. Lustful (raga),
  2. Hateful (Dosa),
  3. Ignorant (Moha),
  4. Devout (Saddha),
  5. Intellectual (Buddhi), and
  6. Discursive (Vitakka).
     
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• 6 (Mahayana) Perfections (Paramitas):  These are virtues to be practiced by Mahayana Buddhists.  Note:  Theravada Buddhists have 10 Paramjs (refer to the 10’s section below).
  1. Generosity/Charity (Dana),
  2. Morality (Sila),
  3. Patience (Ksanti),
  4. Diligence (Virya),
  5. Meditative Concentration (Dhyana), and
  6. Insight/Wisdom (Prajna).

7

• 7 Factors of Awakening (Bojjhanga): This is a set of teachings the Buddha says are beneficial to attaining enlightenment.  These are part of the 7 sets of qualities conducive to enlightenment.
  1. To be used when experiencing sloth & torpor to regain mindfulness
     1. Joy (Piti)
     2. Investigation (Dhamma Vicaya)
     3. Energy (Viriya)
  2. Balancing Factor
     1. Mindfulness (Sati)
  3. To be used when experiencing restlessness and worry to regain mindfulness
     1. Relaxation (Passaddhi)
     2. Concentration (Samadhi)
     3. Equanimity (Upekkha)

8

• Noble 8-Fold Path:  The fourth Noble Truth outlined by the Buddha which provides the practice/path that leads towards awakening and Nirvana.
  1. Right view,
  2. Right thoughts,
  3. Right speech,
  4. Right actions,
  5. Right livelihood,
  6. Right effort,
  7. Right mindfulness, and
  8. Right concentration.
     
     Click here to learn more about the Noble Eightfold Path
• 8 Auspicious Symbols:  Used in art and sculpture in Buddhism for meditation and contemplation by individuals.
  1. The Parasol,
  2. Two Golden Fish,
  3. The Conch Shell,
  4. The Lotus,
  5. The Banner of Victory,
  6. The Vase,
  7. The Dharma Wheel (Dharmachakra), and
  8. The Eternal Knot.

9

• 9 Jhanas/States of Meditative Absorption:  These are altered states of consciousness that are a result of meditative concentration.  They are not to be confused with enlightenment.
  1. Delightful Sensations,
  2. Joy,
  3. Contentment,
  4. Utter Peacefulness,
  5. Infinity of Space,
  6. Infinity of Consciousness,
  7. Nothingness,
  8. Neither Perception nor Non-Perception, and
  9. Cessation.

10’s

• 10 Wholesome Conducts: These levels of conduct and action are grouped into those of the body, speech, and mind.
  1. Body
     1. No Killing,
     2. No Stealing,
     3. No Sexual Misconduct,
  2. Speech
     1. No Lying,
     2. No Duplicity / Divisive or Slanderous Speech,
     3. No Harsh Words / Speech,
     4. No Idle Chatter,
  3. Mind
     1. No Greed / Craving or Lusting,
     2. No Anger / Aversion,
     3. No Ignorance / Delusion (“Wrong Views”).
• 10 Hindrances to Enlightenment (10 Fetters):  This also can be used to reference the “abandoned fetters” of an enlightened person (refer to the 4 stages of enlightenment):
  1. Lower Fetters:
     1. Identity View (Anatman),
     2. Doubt in the Buddha,
     3. Ascetic or Ritual Rules,
     4. Sensual Desire, Ill Will,
  2. Higher Fetters:
     1. Material-rebirth Desire,
     2. Immaterial-Rebirth Desire,
     3. Conceit,
     4. Restlessness, and
     5. Ignorance.
• 10 [Grand/Great] Precepts: Compared to the five precepts, the ten precepts are a list found in Mahayana (Brahamajala Sutra) to further one along the Bodhisattva path and developing enlightenment (Bodhi) mind.
  1. No Killing,
  2. No Stealing,
  3. No Sexual Misconduct,
  4. No Lying,
  5. No Using Intoxicants,
  6. No Gossiping,
  7. Not Praising Oneself,
  8. No Meanness,
  9. No Aggression,
  10. No Slandering the Three Jewels (Triple Gem).
      
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• 10 Good Deeds or Meritorious Actions: Merit is an important part of Buddhist ethics and karma.  These ten items help an individual create good deeds and/or thoughts as part of their daily lives.
  1. Giving (Dana),
  2. Virtue (Sila),
  3. Mental Development (Bhavana),
  4. Honoring Others (Apacayana),
  5. Offering Service (Veyyavaca),
  6. Dedicating/Transferring Merit to Others (Pattidanamaya),
  7. Rejoycing in Others’ Merit (Pattanumodana),
  8. Listening to Dharma/Teachings (Dhammassavana),
  9. Instructing Others in the Dharma/Teachings (Dhammadesana), and
  10. Aligning/Straightening/Focusing One’s Own Views with the Dharma/Teachings (Ditthujukamma).
• 10 Great Disciples of the Buddha: The Buddha’s main disciples that are frequently mentioned in the sutras (scripture).  Depending on the scripture, this list can vary.
  1. Shariputra,
  2. Maudgalyayana,
  3. Mahakasyapa,
  4. Subhuti,
  5. Purna Maitrayani-Putra,
  6. Katyayana,
  7. Anuruddha,
  8. Upali,
  9. Rahula, and
  10. Ananda.
• 10 Ox-herding/Bull Pictures:  The infamous pictures/panels used in Zen used to explain the path in Buddhist practice.  The ox/bull is an analogy for the mind/self.
  1. Searching for the Ox,
  2. Finding the Footprints of the Ox,
  3. Catching a Glimpse of the Ox,
  4. Catching the Ox,
  5. Taming the Ox,
  6. Riding Home on the Ox,
  7. Transcending the Ox,
  8. Both Ox and Self Transcended,
  9. Reaching the Source, and
  10. Returning to Society.
• 10 (Theravada) Paramis (Perfections):  These are virtues to be practiced by Theravada Buddhists.
  1. Giving (Dana),
  2. Morality (Sila),
  3. Renunciation (Nekkhamma),
  4. Discerning Wisdom (Panna),
  5. Energy (Virya),
  6. Patience (Khanti),
  7. Truthfulness,
  8. Determination (Adhitthana),
  9. Loving Kindness (Metta), and
  10. Equanimity (Upekkha)
      
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• 10 Contemplations/Recollections (Anussati):  The Anguttara Nitkaya scripture states that the practice of any of these will lead to Nirvana.  The first six are known as the “Six Recollections” and are commonly taught in Mahayana.
  1. Buddha
  2. Dharma
  3. Sangha
  4. Generosity
  5. Virtue
  6. Deva Virtues
  7. Death
  8. Body
  9. Breath
  10. Peace
• 12 Links of Dependent Origination / Rebirth:  Also referred to as Dependent Arising, this list refers to the cause and effect (in relation to a link or chain) that all phenomena experience.  For example, if you have birth, you will have aging, which will result in death.
  1. Ignorance,
  2. Formation,
  3. Consciousness,
  4. Name & Form,
  5. Senses,
  6. Contact,
  7. Feelings/Sensations,
  8. Emotions,
  9. Craving,
  10. Becoming,
  11. Birth, and
  12. Aging & Death
      
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20’s

• 22 Faculties:  Based on the Visuddhimagga scripture, these 22 faculties along with the five aggregates, the sense bases, Four Noble Truths, and dependent origination constitute the foundation or “soil” of wisdom (prajna).
  1. Eye,
  2. Ear,
  3. Nose,
  4. Tongue,
  5. Body,
  6. Femininity,
  7. Masculinity,
  8. Vitality,
  9. Mind,
  10. Happiness,
  11. Pain,
  12. Pleasure,
  13. Displeasure,
  14. Equanimity,
  15. Confidence,
  16. Effort,
  17. Mindfulness,
  18. Concentration,
  19. Wisdom,
  20. Thought of “I Will Realize the Unknown”,
  21. Highest Realization, and
  22. The Faculty of the Person Who Has Fully Realized.

50’s

• 52 Mental Formations/Factors/States (Skandhas):  These are factors that can “color” the mind and affect how it “functions”.  The correlation is often described as your mind being the screen in a movie theatre, and the mental formations being the pictures (through light) being cast upon it.  There are variations of this list (to include less), however, these are the Theravada tradition (Abhidhammattha-sangaha).
  1. Contact
  2. Feeling
  3. Perception
  4. Volition
  5. Concentration of mind
  6. Psychic life
  7. Attention
  8. Initial application
  9. Sustained application
  10. Effort
  11. Pleasurable interest
  12. Desire to do
  13. Deciding
  14. Greed
  15. Hate
  16. Dullness
  17. Error
  18. Conceit
  19. Envy
  20. Selfishness
  21. Worry
  22. Shamelessness
  23. Recklessness
  24. Distraction
  25. Sloth
  26. Torpor
  27. Perplexity
  28. Disinterestedness
  29. Amity
  30. Reason
  31. Faith
  32. Mindfulness
  33. Modesty
  34. Discretion
  35. Balance of mind
  36. Composure of mental properties
  37. Composure of mind
  38. Buoyancy of mental properties
  39. Buoyancy of mind
  40. Pliancy of mental properties
  41. Pliancy of mind
  42. Adaptability of mental properties
  43. Adaptability of mind
  44. Proficiency of mental properties
  45. Proficiency of mind
  46. Rectitude of mental properties
  47. Rectitude of mind
  48. Right speech
  49. Right action
  50. Right livelihood
  51. Pity
  52. Appreciation

100’s

• 108:  Most Buddhist Mala’s (meditation/chanting beads) are made up of 108 beads plus the bead head.  There are many explanations why “108”, such as 108 earthly temptations, 108 feelings, 108 statements of negation, etc.
  
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