Satipatthana Sutta

1. THUS HAVE I HEARD.[1] On one occasion, the Blessed One was living in the Kuru country at a town of the Kurus named Kammasadhamma.[2] There he addressed the bhikkhus thus: �Bhikkhus.� � �Venerable sir,� they replied. The Blessed One said this:

2. �Bhikkhus, this the direct path[3] for the purification of beings, for the surmounting of sorrow and lamentation, for the disappearance of pain and grief, for the attainment of the true way, for the realization of Nibbana � namely, the four foundations of mindfulness.[4]

3. �What are the four? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu[5] abides contemplating the body as a body, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world.[6] He abides contemplating feelings as feelings, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world. He abides contemplating mind as mind, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world. He abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away covetousness and grief for the world.[7]

4. �And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body? Here a bhikkhu, gone to the forest or to the root of a tree or to an empty hut, sits down; having folded his legs crosswise, set his body erect, and established mindfulness in front of him, ever mindful he breathes in, mindful he breathes out. Breathing in long, he understands: �I breathe in long�; or breathing out long, he understands: �I breathe out long.� Breathing in short, he understands: �I breathe in short.�[8] He trains thus: �I shall breathe in experiencing the whole body of breath�; he trains thus: �I shall breathe out experiencing the whole body of breath.�[9] He trains thus: �I shall breathe in tranquilizing the bodily formation�; he trains thus: �I shall breathe out tranquilizing the bodily formation.�[10] Just as a skilled turner or his apprentice, when making a long turn, understands: �I make a long turn�; or, when making a short turn, understands: �I make a short turn�; so too, breathing in long, a bhikkhu understands: �I breathe in long�; breathing out long, he understands: �I breathe out long; breathing in short, he understands: �I breathe in short�; breathing out short, he understands: �I breathe out short�. He trains thus: �I shall breathe in experiencing the whole body of breath�; he trains thus: �I shall breathe out experiencing the whole body of breath.�[11] He trains thus: �I shall breathe in tranquilizing the bodily formation�; he trains thus: �I shall breathe out tranquilizing the bodily formation.�

5. �In this way he abides contemplating the body as a body internally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body externally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body both internally and externally.[12] Or else he abides contemplating in the body its arising factors, or he abides contemplating in the body its vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in the body both its arising and vanishing factors.[13] Or else mindfulness that �there is a body� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness.[14] And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body.

6. �Again, bhikkhus, when walking, a bhikkhu understands: �I am walking�; when standing, he understands: �I am standing�; when sitting, he understands: �I am sitting�; when lying down, he understands: �I am lying down�; or he understands accordingly however his body is disposed.[15]

7. �In this way he abides contemplating the body as a body internally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body externally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in the body its arising factors, or he abides contemplating in the body its vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in the body both its arising and vanishing factors. Or else mindfulness that �there is a body� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body.

8. �Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who acts in full awareness when going forward and returning;[16] who acts in full awareness when flexing and extending his limbs; who acts in full awareness when wearing his robes and carrying his outer robe and bowl; who acts in full awareness when eating, drinking, consuming food, and tasting; who acts in full awareness when defecating and urinating; who acts in full awareness when walking, standing, sitting, falling asleep, waking up, talking, and keeping silent.

9. �In this way he abides contemplating the body as a body internally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body externally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in the body its arising factors, or he abides contemplating in the body its vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in the body both its arising and vanishing factors. Or else mindfulness that �there is a body� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body.

10. �Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu reviews this same body up from the soles of the feet and down from the top of the hair, bounded by skin, as full of many kinds of impurity thus: �In this body there are head-hairs, body-hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone-marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, large intestines, small intestines, contents of the stomach, feces, bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, grease, spittle, snot, oil of the joints, and urine.� Just as though there were a bag with an opening at both ends full of many sorts of grain, such as hill rice, red rice, beans, peas, millet, and white rice, and a man with good eyes were to open it and review it thus: �This is hill rice, this is red rice, these are beans, these are peas, this is millet, this is white rice�; so too, a bhikkhu reviews the same body up from the soles of the feet and down from the top of the hair, bounded by skin, as full of many kinds of impurity thus: �In this body there are head-hairs, body-hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone-marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, large intestines, small intestines, contents of the stomach, feces, bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, grease, spittle, snot, oil of the joints, and urine.�

11. �In this way he abides contemplating the body as a body internally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body externally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in the body its arising factors, or he abides contemplating in the body its vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in the body both its arising and vanishing factors. Or else mindfulness that �there is a body� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body.

12. �Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu reviews this same body, however it is placed, however disposed, as consisting of elements thus: �In this body there are the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element.�[17] Just as though a skilled butcher or his apprentice had killed a cow and was seated at the crossroads with it cut up into pieces; so too, a bhikkhu reviews this same body, however it is placed, however disposed, as consisting of elements thus: �In this body there are the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element.�

13. �In this way he abides contemplating the body as a body internally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body externally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in the body its arising factors, or he abides contemplating in the body its vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in the body both its arising and vanishing factors. Or else mindfulness that �there is a body� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body.

14. �Again, bhikkhus, as though he were to see a corpse thrown aside in a charnel ground, one, two, or three days dead, bloated, livid, and oozing matter, a bhikkhu compares this same body with it thus: �This body too is of the same nature, it will be like that, it is not exempt from that fate.�[18]

15. �In this way he abides contemplating the body as a body internally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body externally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in the body its arising factors, or he abides contemplating in the body its vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in the body both its arising and vanishing factors. Or else mindfulness that �there is a body� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body.

16. �Again, as though he were to see a corpse thrown aside in a charnel ground, being devoured by crows, hawks, vultures, dogs, jackals, or various kinds of worms, a bhikkhu compares this same body with it thus: �This body too is of the same nature, it will be like that, it is not exempt from that fate.�

17. �In this way he abides contemplating the body as a body internally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body externally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in the body its arising factors, or he abides contemplating in the body its vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in the body both its arising and vanishing factors. Or else mindfulness that �there is a body� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body.

18-24. �Again, as though he were to see a corpse thrown aside in a charnel ground, a skeleton with flesh and blood, held together with sinews, a fleshless skeleton smeared with blood, held together with sinews, a skeleton without flesh and blood, held together with sinews, disconnected bones scattered in all directions � here a hand-bone, there a foot-bone, here a shin-bone, there a thigh-bone, here a hip-bone, there a back-bone, here a rib-bone, there a breast-bone, here an arm-bone, there a shoulder-bone, here a neck-bone, there a jaw-bone, here a tooth, there the skull � a bhikkhu compares this same body with it thus: �This body too is of the same nature, it will be like that, it is not exempt from that fate.[19]

25. �In this way he abides contemplating the body as a body internally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body externally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in the body its arising factors, or he abides contemplating in the body its vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in the body both its arising and vanishing factors. Or else mindfulness that �there is a body� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body.

26-30. �Again, as though he were to see a corpse thrown aside into a charnel ground, bones bleached white, the color of shells, bones heaped up, more than a year old, bones rotted and crumbled to dust, a bhikkhu compares this same body with it thus: �This body too is of the same nature, it will be like that, it is not exempt from that fate.�

31. �In this way he abides contemplating the body as a body internally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body externally, or he abides contemplating the body as a body both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in the body its arising factors, or he abides contemplating in the body its vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in the body both its arising and vanishing factors. Or else mindfulness that �there is a body� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating the body as a body.

32. �And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu abide contemplating feelings as feelings?[20] Here, when feeling a pleasant feeling, a bhikkhu understands: �I feel a pleasant feeling�; when feeling a painful feeling, he understands: �I feel a painful feeling�; when feeling a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, he understands: �I feel a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling.� When feeling a pleasant worldly feeling, he understands: �I feel a worldly pleasant feeling�; when feeling an unworldly pleasant feeling, he understands: �I feel an unworldly pleasant feeling�; when feeling a worldly painful feeling, he understands: �I feel a worldly painful feeling�; when feeling an unworldly painful feeling, he understands: �I feel an unworldly painful feeling�; when feeling a worldly neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, he understands: �I feel a worldly neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling�; when feeling an unworldly neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, he understands: �I feel a unworldly neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling.�

33. �In this way he abides contemplating feelings as feelings internally, or he abides contemplating feelings as feelings externally, or he abides contemplating feelings as feelings both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in feelings their arising factors, or he abides contemplating in feelings their vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in feelings both their arising and vanishing factors.[21] Or else mindfulness that �there is feeling� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating feelings as feelings.

34. �And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu abide contemplating mind as mind?[22] Here a bhikkhu understands mind affected by lust as mind affected by lust, and mind unaffected by lust as mind unaffected by lust. He understands mind affected by hate as mind affected by hate, and mind unaffected by hate as mind unaffected by hate. He understands mind affected by delusion as mind affected by delusion, and mind unaffected by delusion as mind unaffected by delusion. He understands contracted mind as contracted mind, and distracted mind as distracted mind. He understands exalted mind as exalted mind, and unexalted mind as unexalted mind. He understands surpassed mind as surpassed mind, and unsurpassed mind as unsurpassed mind. He understands concentrated mind as concentrated mind, and unconcentrated mind as unconcentrated mind. He understands liberated mind as liberated mind, and unliberated mind as unliberated mind.[23]

35. �In this way, he abides contemplating mind as mind internally, or he abides contemplating mind as mind externally, or he abides contemplating mind as mind both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in mind its arising factors, or he abides contemplating in mind its vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in mind both its arising and vanishing factors.[24] Or else mindfulness that �there is mind� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind as mind.

36. �And how bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects?[25] Here a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in term of the five hindrances.[26] And how does a bhikkhu abide contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the five hindrances? Here, there being sensual desire in him, a bhikkhu understands: �There is sensual desire in me�; or there being no sensual desire in him, he understands: �There is no sensual desire in me�; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of unarisen sensual desire, and how there comes to be the abandoning of arisen sensual desire, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of abandoned sensual desire.�

�There being ill will in him, a bhikkhu understands: �There is ill will in me�; or there being no ill will in him, he understands: �There is no ill will in me�; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen ill will, and how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen ill will, and how there comes to be future non-arising of abandoned ill will.�

�There being sloth and torpor in him, a bhikkhu understands: �There is sloth and torpor in me�; or there being no sloth and torpor in him, he understands: �There is no sloth and torpor in me�; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen sloth and torpor, and how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen sloth and torpor, and how there comes to be future non-arising of abandoned sloth and torpor.�

�There being restlessness and remorse in him, a bhikkhu understands: �There is restlessness and remorse in me�; or there being no restlessness or remorse in him, he understands: �There is no restlessness and remorse in me�; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen restlessness and remorse, and how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen restlessness and remorse, and how there comes to be future non-arising of abandoned restlessness and remorse.�

�There being doubt in him, a bhikkhu understands: �There is doubt in me�� or there being no doubt in him, he understands: �There is no doubt in me�; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen doubt, and how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen doubt, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of abandoned doubt.�

37. �In this way he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects internally, or he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects externally, or he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in mind-objects their arising factors, or he abides contemplating in mind-objects their vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in mind-objects both their arising and vanishing factors. Or else mindfulness that �there are mind-objects� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the five hindrances.

38. �Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the five aggregates affected by clinging.[27] And how does a bhikkhu abide contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the five aggregates affected by clinging? Here a bhikkhu understands: �Such is material form, such its origin, such its disappearance; such is perception, such its origin, such its disappearance; such are the formations, such their origin, such their disappearance; such is consciousness, such its origin, such its disappearance.�

39. �In this way he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects internally, or he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects externally, or he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in mind-objects their arising factors, or he abides contemplating in mind-objects their vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in mind-objects both their arising and vanishing factors. Or else mindfulness that �there are mind-objects� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the five aggregates affected by clinging.

40. �Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the six internal and external bases.[28] And how does a bhikkhu abide contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the six internal and external bases? Here a bhikkhu understands the eye, he understands forms, and he understands the fetter that arises dependent on both; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen fetter, and how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen fetter, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of the abandoned fetter.

�He understands the ear, he understands sounds, and he understands the fetter that arises dependent on both; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen fetter, and how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen fetter, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of the abandoned fetter.

�He understands the nose, he understands odors, and he understands the fetter that arises dependent on both; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen fetter, how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen fetter, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of the abandoned fetter.

�He understands the tongue, he understands flavors, and he understands the fetter that arises dependent on both, and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen fetter, how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen fetter, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of the abandoned fetter.

�He understands the body, he understands tangibles, and he understands the fetter that arises dependent on both, and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen fetter, how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen fetter, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of the abandoned fetter.

�He understands the mind, he understands mind-objects, and he understands the fetter that arises dependent on both, and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen fetter, how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen fetter, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of the abandoned fetter.

41. �In this way he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects internally, or he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects externally, or he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in mind-objects their arising factors, or he abides contemplating in mind-objects their vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in mind-objects both their arising and vanishing factors. Or else mindfulness that �there are mind-objects� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the six internal and external bases.

42. �Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the seven enlightenment factors. And how does a bhikkhu abide contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the seven enlightenment factors? Here, there being the mindfulness enlightenment factor in him, a bhikkhu understands: �There is the mindfulness enlightenment factor in me�; or there being no mindfulness enlightenment factor in him, he understands: �There is no mindfulness enlightenment factor in me�; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen mindfulness enlightenment factor, and how the arisen mindfulness enlightenment factor comes to fulfilment by development.

�There being the investigation-of-states enlightenment factor in him,[29] a bhikkhu understands: �There is the investigation-of-states enlightenment factor in me�; or there being no investigation-of-states enlightenment factor in him, he understands: �There is no mindfulness enlightenment factor in me�; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen investigation-of-states enlightenment factor, and how the arisen investigation-of-states enlightenment factor comes to fulfilment by development.

�There being the energy enlightenment factor in him, a bhikkhu understands: �There is the energy enlightenment factor in me�; or there being no energy enlightenment factor in him, he understands: �There is no energy enlightenment factor in me�; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen energy enlightenment factor, and how the arisen energy enlightenment factor comes to fulfilment by development.

�There being the rapture enlightenment factor in him, a bhikkhu understands: �There is the rapture enlightenment factor in me�; or there being no rapture enlightenment factor in him, he understands: �There is no rapture enlightenment factor in me�; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen rapture enlightenment factor, and how the arisen rapture enlightenment factor comes to fulfilment by development.

�There being the tranquility enlightenment factor in him, a bhikkhu understands: �There is the tranquility enlightenment factor in me�; or there being no tranquility enlightenment factor in him, he understands: �There is no tranquility enlightenment factor in me�; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen tranquility enlightenment factor, and how the arisen tranquility enlightenment factor comes to fulfilment by development.

�There being the concentration enlightenment factor in him, a bhikkhu understands: �There is the concentration enlightenment factor in me�; or there being no concentration enlightenment factor in him, he understands: �There is no concentration enlightenment factor in me�; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen concentration enlightenment factor, and how the arisen concentration enlightenment factor comes to fulfilment by development.

�There being the equanimity enlightenment factor in him, a bhikkhu understands: �There is the equanimity enlightenment factor in me�; or there being no equanimity enlightenment factor in him, he understands: �There is no equanimity enlightenment factor in me�; and he also understands how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen equanimity enlightenment factor, and how the arisen equanimity enlightenment factor comes to fulfilment by development.[30]

43. �In this way he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects internally, or he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects externally, or he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in mind-objects their arising factors, or he abides contemplating in mind-objects their vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in mind-objects both their arising and vanishing factors. Or else mindfulness that �there are mind-objects� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the seven enlightenment factors.

44. �Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the Four Noble Truths.[31] And how does a bhikkhu abide contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the Four Noble Truths? Here a bhikkhu understands as it actually it: �This is suffering�; he understands as it actually is: �This is the origin of suffering�; he understands as it actually is: �This is the cessation of suffering�; he understands as it actually is: �This is the way leading to the cessation of suffering.�

45. �In this way he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects internally, or he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects externally, or he abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects both internally and externally. Or else he abides contemplating in mind-objects their arising factors, or he abides contemplating in mind-objects their vanishing factors, or he abides contemplating in mind-objects both their arising and vanishing factors. Or else mindfulness that �there are mind-objects� is simply established in him to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and mindfulness. And he abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. That is how a bhikkhu abides contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects in terms of the Four Noble Truths.

46. �Bhikkhus, if anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for seven years, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.[32]

�Let alone seven years, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for six years, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone six years, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for five years, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone five years, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for four years, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone four years, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for three years, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone three years, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for two years, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone two years, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for one year, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone one year, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for seven months, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone seven months, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for six months, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone six months, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for five months, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone five months, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for four months, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone four months, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for three months, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone three months, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for two months, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone two months, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for one month, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone one month, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for half a month, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

�Let alone half a month, bhikkhus. If anyone should develop these four foundations of mindfulness in such a way for seven days, one of two fruits could be expected for him: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, non-return.

47. �So it was with reference to this that it was said: �Bhikkhus, this is the direct path for the purification of beings, for the surmounting of sorrow and lamentation, for the disappearance of pain and grief, for the attainment of the true way, for the realization of Nibbana � namely, the four foundations of mindfulness.��

That is what the Blessed One said. The bhikkhus were satisfied and delighted in the Blessed One�s w

[1] This is one of the most important suttas in the Pali Canon, containing the most comprehensive statement of the most direct way to the attainment of the Buddhist goal. Virtually the identical sutta is found as well at Digha Nikaya 22, though with an expanded analysis of the Four Noble Truths attached, which accounts for its greater length.

[2] This town is said by some scholars to have been in the vicinity of modern Delhi.

[3] Satipatthana is called ekayana magga, the direct path, to distinguish it from the approach to meditative attainment that proceeds through the jhanas or brahmaviharas. While the latter can lead to Nibbana, they do not do so necessarily but can lead to sidetracks, whereas satipatthana leads invariably to the final goal.

[4] The four satipatthanas may be understood as either the four ways of setting up mindfulness or the four objective domains of mindfulness, to be amplified in the rest of the sutta.

[5] In this context, �bhikkhu� is a term indicating a person who earnestly endeavours to accomplish the practice of the teaching: �Whoever undertakes that practice...is here comprised under the term �Bhikkhu.��

[6] The repetition in the phrase �contemplating the body as a body� has the purpose of precisely determining the object of contemplation and of isolating that object from others with which it might be confused. Thus, in this practice, the body should be contemplated as such, and not one�s feelings, ideas, and emotions concerning it. The phrase also means that the body should be contemplated simply as a body and not as a man, a woman, a self, or a living being. Similar considerations apply to the repetitions in the case of each of the other three foundation of mindfulness. �Covetousness and grief,� stands for sensual desire and ill will, the principal hindrances that must be overcome for the practice to succeed.

[7] The structure of this sutta is fairly simple. Following the preamble, the body of the discourse falls into four parts by way of the four foundations of mindfulness:

I. Contemplation of the body, which comprises fourteen exercises: mindfulness of breathing; contemplation of the four postures; full awareness; attention to foulness; attention to the elements; and nine �charnel ground contemplations� � reflection on corpses in different stages of decomposition.

II. Contemplation of feelings, considered as one exercise.

III. Contemplation of mind, also one exercise.

IV. Contemplation of mind-objects, which has five subdivisions � the five hindrances; the five aggregates� the six sense bases; the seven enlightenment factors; and the Four Noble Truths.

Thus the sutta expounds altogether twenty-one exercises in contemplation. Each exercise in turn has two aspects: the basic exercise, explained first, and a supplementary section on insight, which indicates how the contemplation is to be developed to deepen understanding of the phenomenon under investigation.

Finally the sutta concludes with a statement of assurance in which the Buddha personally vouches for the effectiveness of the method by declaring the fruits of continuous practice to be either arahantship or non-returning.

[8] The practice of mindfulness of breathing (anapanasati) involves no deliberate attempt to regulate the breath, as in hatha yoga, but a sustained effort to fix awareness on the breath as it moves in and out in its natural rhythm. Mindfulness is set up at the nostrils or the upper lip, wherever the impact of the breath is felt most distinctly; the length of the breath is noted but not consciously controlled. The complete development of this mediation method is expounded in MN 118.

[9] The phrase �experiencing the whole body� means that the meditator becomes aware of each in-and-out breath through the three phrases of its beginning, middle, and end.

[10] The �bodily formation� is defined as in-and-out breathing itself. Thus, with successful development of the practice, the meditator�s breathing becomes increasingly quiet, tranquil, and peaceful.

[11] The phrase �experiencing the whole body� means that the meditator becomes aware of each in-and-out breath through the three phrases of its beginning, middle, and end.

[12] �Internally�: contemplating the breathing in his own body. �Externally�: contemplating breathing occurring in the body of another. �Internally and externally�: contemplating the breathing in his own body and in the body of another alternately, with uninterrupted attention. A similar explanation applies to the refrain of the other sections, except that under the contemplation of feeling, mind, and mind-objects, the contemplation externally, apart from those possessing telepathic powers, must be inferential.

[13] The �arising factors� for the body are the conditions on account of which the body has arisen � namely, ignorance, craving, kamma, and food � together with the concrete fact of the moment-by-moment origination of material phenomena in the body. The �vanishing factors� for the body are the cessation of the casual conditions and the momentary dissolution of material phenomena in the body.

[14] For the sake of a wider and wider and higher and higher measure of knowledge and mindfulness.

[15] The understanding of the bodily postures referred to in this exercise is not our ordinary natural knowledge of our bodily activity, but a close, constant, and careful awareness of the body in every position, coupled with an analytical examination intended to dispel the delusion of a self as the agent of bodily movement.

[16] There are four types of �clear comprehension� of one�s movement: full awareness of the purpose of one�s action; full awareness of the suitability of one�s means; full awareness of the domain, that is, not abandoning the subject of meditation during one�s daily routine; and full awareness of reality, the knowledge that behind one�s activities there is no abiding self.

[17] These four elements are explained by Buddhist tradition as the primary attributes of matter � solidity, cohesion, heat, and distension.

[18] The phrase �as though� suggests that this meditation, and those to follow, need not be based upon an actual encounter with a corpse in the state of decay described, but can be performed as an imaginative exercise. �This same body� is the meditator�s own body.

[19] Each of the four types of corpses mentioned here, and the three types below, may be taken as a separate and self-sufficient subject of meditation; or the entire set may be used as a progressive series for impressing on the mind the idea of the body�s transience and insubstantiality.

[20] Feeling signifies the affective quality of experience, bodily and mental, either pleasant, painful, or neither.

[21] The arising and vanishing factors for feeling are the same as those for the body except that food is replaced by contact, since contact is the condition for feeling.

[22] Mind (citta) as an object of contemplation refers to the general state and level of consciousness. Since consciousness itself, in its own nature, is the bare knowing or cognizing of an object, the quality of any state of mind is determined by its associated mental factors, such as lust, hate, and delusion or their opposites, as mentioned by the sutta.

[23] The paired examples of citta given in this passage contrast states of mind of wholesome and unwholesome, or developed and undeveloped character. �Exalted mind� and �unsurpassed mind� refers to mind pertaining to the level of the jhanas and immaterial meditative attainments. �Liberated mind� must be understood as a mind temporarily and partly freed from defilements through insight or the jhanas. Since the practice of satipatthana pertains to the preliminary phase of the path aimed at the supramundane paths of deliverance, this last category should not be understood as a mind liberated through attainment of the supramundane path.

[24] The arising and vanishing factors of mind are the same as those for the body except that food is replaced by mentality-materiality, since the latter is the condition for consciousness.

[25] The word rendered here as �mind-objects� is the polymorphous dhamma. In this context dhamma can be understood as comprising all phenomena classified by way of the categories of the Dhamma, the Buddha�s teaching of actuality. This contemplation reaches its climax in the penetration of the meaning at the heart of the Dhamma � the Four Noble Truths.

[26] The five hindrances (pancanivarana) are the main inner impediments to the development of concentration and insight. Sensual desire arises through attending unwisely to a sensually attractive object and is abandoned by meditation on a foul object; ill will arises through attending unwisely to a repugnant object and is abandoned by developing loving-kindness; sloth and torpor arise by submitting to boredom and laziness and are abandoned by arousing energy; restlessness and remorse arise through unwisely reflecting on disturbing thoughts and are abandoned by wisely reflecting on tranquility; doubt arises through unwisely reflecting on dubious matters and is abandoned by study, investigation, and inquiry. The hindrances are fully eradicated only by the supramundane paths.

[27] The five aggregates affected by clinging are the five groups of factors comprising the individual personality.

[28] The internal bases are the six sense faculties; the external bases, their respective objects. The fetter that arises dependent upon the pairs may be understood as attraction (greed), aversion (hatred), and the underlying delusion.

[29] �Investigation of states� (dhammavicaya) means the scrutiny of the mental and physical phenomena presented to the meditator�s mind by mindfulness.

[30] The commentaries explain in detail the conditions that conduce to the maturation of the enlightenment factors. See the Way of Mindfulness, pp.134-149.

[31] With this section, the contemplation of dhamma as mind-objects culminates in the understanding of the Dhamma in its core formulation as the Four Noble Truths. The longer Mahasatipatthana Sutta of the Digha Nikaya gives extended definitions and elaborations of each of the truths.

[32] Final knowledge, anna, is the arahant�s knowledge of final deliverance. Non-return (anagamita) is, of course, the state of a non-returner, who is reborn in a higher world where he attains final Nibbana without ever returning to the human world.

Source: The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A New Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya. Translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi. Wisdom Publications