Factor 12 - Piti (joyful satisfaction)

Piti is the feeling of joy or satisfaction. It is not the actual experience of pleasure. It is just the mental factor of satisfaction, comparable to a thirsty man’s state of mind when he hears or sees the availability of water. On seeing water he experiences piti. On actually drinking water he experiences sukha veDana (pleasure). Such is the nature of piti.

Piti can be experienced even to the extent of causing the flesh to creep in meeting and talking with the affectionate one, on listening to music or one hearing Dhamma discourses. Once upon a time there was a pregnant woman who was left in the house when all members of her family went to a pagoda festival. She felt a forceful urge to pay homage to the pagoda situated at the top of the hill. So she clasped her hands and concentrated her mind on the virtues of the Buddha. While doing so, a very powerful piti overwhelmed her and her body floated in space to finally arrive at the pagoda platform.

Piti can also arise in the time of doing meritorious deeds, e.g. making offerings of blood, etc. In some case piti can be so vigorous as to become somanassa associated with tanha. In such cases one’s countenance beams and one’s body become agile and nimble. It goes without saying that those with adequate viriya are assured of reaching their goals one day. Then they may review their achievement and experience piti, enjoying the bliss of success.

We might recall that the Omniscient Buddha attained Enlightenment after conquering all kelisa while sitting on the throne of victory under the Bodhi tree. He was so enthralled with piti that he stood looking at his victory seat for seven days without even winking an eye. Those who are engrossed in satipatthana (meditation) also experience piti which encourages them to continue their practise for long periods of time. Such are the noble piti of virtuous and the zealous Ones endowed with viriya.