From:
Milindapañha Milinda’s Questions
Arūpadhammavavatthānavagga Analysis of Formless Dhammas Chapter
6. Bojjhaṅgapañha Question on the Factors for Awakening
Rājā āha—The king asked,
“kati nu kho, bhante nāgasena, bojjhaṅgā”ti? “Venerable Nāgasena, how many factors for awakening are there?”
“Satta kho, mahārāja, bojjhaṅgā”ti. “There are seven factors for awakening, your majesty.”
“Katihi pana, bhante, bojjhaṅgehi bujjhatī”ti? “By how many of these seven factors for awakening, venerable sir, does one awaken?”
“Ekena kho, mahārāja, bojjhaṅgena bujjhati dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgenā”ti. “One awakens by one of these, your majesty, the awakening factor of discrimination of states.”
“Atha kissa nu kho, bhante, vuccanti ‘satta bojjhaṅgā’”ti? “Then, venerable sir, why is it that one speaks of seven factors?”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja, asi kosiyā pakkhitto aggahito hatthena ussahati chejjaṁ chinditun”ti. “What do you think, your majesty, if a sword is placed in its sheath and not grasped in the hand is it able to cut what is to be cut?”
“Na hi, bhante”ti. “Certainly not, venerable sir.”
“Evameva kho, mahārāja, dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgena vinā chahi bojjhaṅgehi na bujjhatī”ti. “In the same way, your majesty, without the investigation of states awakening factor, one cannot awaken by the other six factors.”
“Kallosi, bhante nāgasenā”ti. “You are clever, venerable Nāgasena.”
Bojjhaṅgapañho chaṭṭho. Question on the Factors for Awakening sixth