The Indriya-Bala Relations in Vipassanā Bhāvanā Practice

Abstract

This article aims to present what are the characteristics of the 5 Spiritual-Faculties and the 5 Powers which of the same dhamma factors. Why were they called differently? How would they be adopted in the meditation practice? By considering from the dhamma factors i.e. Saddhā, Vīriya, Sati, Samādhi, and Paññā; which in one group, it is called Indriya meaning the predominated strengths over the unwholesome deeds that are the opponent.  While in the other group, it is called Bala aiming at the strength or the power in eradicating all defilements or Akusala Dhamma. The opposite factor to Indriya is Saddhā (faith), which is eminent rather than the doubt. Bala, which is Saddhā, is the power that can suppress and eliminate the doubt. Indriya, which is Vīriya (Effort), is eminent over the laziness. Bala, which is the diligence, is the power that can suppress laziness. Indriya is the mindfulness prevailing over the forgetfulness. Bala is the mindfulness suppressing the forgetfulness. Indriya is the concentration prevailing over the distractive mind. Bala is the concentration suppressing the distractive mind. Indriya is the wisdom prevailing over the ignorance, delusion, and misconception. Bala is the wisdom suppressing the ignorance, delusion, and misconception. Therefore, they are divided into 2 groups: the group of faculties and the group of powers. There was an explanation that both depend on each another. Indriya, which is Saddhā, needs Bala, which is Saddhā. Bala, which is Saddhā, needs Indriya, which is Saddhā. These are all the same reciprocity with the rest. It was metaphorically said, why they have to be separated into 2 groups, that the main water stream flowing into the east has one island in the middle; when the stream flows to that island, it was split into two tides. At the edge of island, these tides once again unite into one.