are identical with the factor of right effort in the noble eightfold path. As for the five strengths, there may be two reasons for why they are omitted. The first, suggested by AN 4:163, is that they pertain to the lower levels of noble attainment—stream-entry through non-returning—whereas the five faculties, which cover the same qualities as the five strengths (conviction, persistence, mindfulness, concentration, and discernment), constitute a higher intensity of these qualities pertaining exclusively to arahantship. The second possible reason is that listing the five strengths as one of eight strengths would have been confusing. See also: DN 16: MN 48; SN 48:53; AN 10:75 - --> - - - -