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Majjhima Nikaaya I.
1. 10 Satipa.t.thaanasutta.m
10 Establishing Mindfulness.
I heard thus.
At one time the Blessed One lived in the hamlet named Kammaassadhamma in the Kuru
country. From there the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus " Bhikkhus, there is only
one way for the purification of beings , for ending grief and lament,to overcome
unpleasantness and displeasure and to realize extinction and that is this fourfold
establishment of mindfulness. What four: Abiding reflecting the body in the body( 1),
mindful and aware to dispel covetousness and displeasure for the world. Abiding reflecting
the feeling in feelings, (2) mindful and aware to dispel covetousness and displeasure for
the world. Abiding reflecting the mental state in the mind (3) mindful and aware to dispel
covetousness and displeasure for the world. Abiding reflecting the thought thoughts (4),
mindful and aware, to dispel covetousness and displeasure for the world.. .
Bhikkhus, how does the bhikkhu abide reflecting the body in the body. Here the bhikkhu
gone to the forest,to the root of a tree, or to an empty house sits cross legged , the
body erect and mindfulness established in front. He mindfully breathes in and out.
Breathing in long knows I breathe in long. Breathing out long knows I breathe out long.
Breathing in short knows I breathe in short. Breathing out short knows I breathe out
short. He trains, feeling the whole body I breathe in. Feeling the whole body I breathe
out.
He trains, calming the bodily determination I breathe in, calming the bodily
determination I breathe out. Just as a clever turner or his apprentice, pulling the
bellows long knows, I pull them long, and pulling the bellows short knows I pull them
short. In the same manner, breathing in long, knows I breathe in long, breathing out long,
knows I breathe out long. Breathing in short knows I breathe in short, and breathing out
short knows I breathe out short. He trains, calming the bodily determination I breathe in,
calming the bodily determination I breathe out. Thus he abides reflecting the body in the
body internally, or he abides reflecting the body in the body exterrnally. Or he abides
reflecting the body in the body internally and externally. Or he abides reflecting the
arising of thoughts in the body. Or he abides reflecting the fading of thoughts in the
body. Or he abides reflecting the arising and fading of thoughts in the body, Or he
establishes mindfulness, there is a body, and abides not supported on anything in the
world.Thus too the bhikkhu abides reflecting the body in the body.
Again, the bhikkhu, going knows, I go, standing knows I stand, Sitting knows I sit,
lying knows I lie. What and whatever posture the body maintains, that and that he
knows..Thus he abides reflecting the body in the body internally, or he abides reflecting
the body in the body externally. Or he abides reflecting the body in the body internally
and externally. Or he abides reflecting the arising of thoughts in the body. Or he abides
reflecting the fading of thoughts in the body. Or he abides reflecting the arising and
fading of thoughts in the body. Or he establishes mindfulness, there is a body, and abides
not supported on anything in the world. Thus too the bhikkhu abides reflecting the body in
the body.
Again the bhikkhu becomes aware, going forward or turning back, looking on, or looking
about, bending or stretching, Becomes aware bearing the three robes and bowl, Becomes
aware enjoying, drinking, eating or tasting. Becomes aware going, standing, sitting,
lying, speaking, or keeping silence. Thus he abides reflecting the body in the body
internally. Or he abides reflecting the body in the body externally. Or he abides
reflecting the body in the body internally and externally. Or he abides reflecting the
arising of thoughts in the body. Or he abides reflecting the fading of thoughts in the
body. Or he abides reflecting the arising and fading of thoughts in the body. Or he
establishes mindfulness there is a body, abides not supported on anything in the world.
Thus too the bhikkhu abides reflecting the body in the body.
Again, the bhikkhu abides reflecting this body up from the sole, down from the hair on
the top and surrounded by the skin as full of various impurities. There are in this body,
hair of the head and body, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, veins, bones, bone marrow, kidneys,
heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs, lower intestines, bowels, stomach, excreta, bile,
phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, eye secretions, saliva, snot, oil of joints, urine,
Just like a bag of provisions open on both sides, is filled up with various grains such as
rice, paddy, green grams, beans, sesame, fine rice. A man who could see would pull it out
and reflect, this is rice, this paddy, this green grams, this beans, this sesame, and this
is fine rice. In the same manner the bhikkhu abides reflecting this body, up from the
sole, down from the hair on the top and surrounded by the skin as full of various
impurities. There are in this body, hair of the head and body, nails, teeth, skin, flesh,
veins, bones, bone marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs, lower intestines,
bowels, stomach, excreta, bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, eye secretions,
saliva, snot, oil of joints, urine. Thus he abides reflecting the body in the body
internally. Or he abides reflecting the body in the body externally. Or he abides
reflecting the body in the body internally and externally. Or he abides reflecting
thoughts that arise in the body. Or he abides reflecting thoughts that fade in the body.
Or he abides reflecting the arising and fading of thoughts in the body. Or he establishes
mindfulness there is a body and abides not supported on anything in the world. Thus too
the bhikkhu abides reflecting the body in the body.
Again the bhikkhu abides reflecting this body as elements in whatever posture it is.
There are in this body, the elements, earth, water, fire and air.Just as a clever butcher
or his apprentice would be seated in a hut at the four cross roads with a killed cow
dissecting it into small bits. In the same manner, in this body, there are the elements
earth, water, fire and air. Thus he abides reflecting the body in the body internally. Or
he abides reflecting the body in the body externally. Or he abides reflecting the body in
the body internally and externally. Or he abides reflecting the arising of thoughts in the
body. Or he abides reflecting the fading of thoughts in the body. Or he abides reflecting
the arising and fading of thoughts in the body. Or he establishes mindfulness, there is a
body and abides not supported on anything in the world. Thus too the bhikkhu abides
reflecting the body in the body.
Again, the bhikkhu reflects this body as a dead body thrown in the charnel ground,
either after one day, two days or three days, bloated, turned blue and festering. This
body too is subject to that same, has not gone beyond it. Thus he abides reflecting the
body in the body internally. Or he abides reflecting the body in the body externally. Or
he abides reflecting the body in the body internally and externally. Or he abides
reflecting thearising of thoughts in the body, Or he abides reflecting the fading of
thoughts in the body. Or he abides reflecting the arising and fading of thoughts in the
body, Or he establishes mindfulness, there is a body, and abides not supported on anything
in the world. Thus too the bhikkhu abides reflecting the body in the body.
Again, the bhikkhu abides reflecting this body as a dead body thrown in the charnel
ground eaten by hawks, vultures, dogs, foxes, or by various other living things. This body
too is subject to that same, has not gone beyond it. Thus he abides reflecting the body in
the body internally. Or he abides reflecting the body in the body externally. Or he abides
reflecting the body in the body internally and externally. Or he abides reflecting the
arising of thoughts in the body. Or he abides reflecting the fading of thoughts in the
body. Or he abides reflecting the arising and fading of thoughts in the body. Or he
establishes mindfulness, there is a body, and abides not supported on anything in the
world. Thus too the bhikkhu abides reflecting the body in the body.
Again, the bhikkhu abides reflecting this body as a corpse thrown in the charnel
ground, a skeleton with flesh and blood and connecting veins. - A skeleton without flesh,
smeared with blood and connected with veins. - A skeleton flesh and blood gone, connected
by veins. A disconnected skeleton thrown about every where. In one place a hand bone, in
another a foot bone, in another a knee bone, in another a thigh bone, in another a hip
bone, in another the back bone, in another the skull.This body too is subject to that
same, has not gone beyond it. Thus he abides reflecting the body in the body internally.
Or he abides reflecting the body in the body externally. Or he abides reflecting the body
in the body internally and externally. Or he abides reflecting the arisisng of thoughts in
the body. Or he abides reflecting the fading of thoughts in the body. Or he abides
reflecting the arising and fading of thoughts in the body. Or he establishes mindfulness,
there is a body, and abides not supported on anything in the world. Thus too the bhikkhu
abides reflecting the body in the body.
Again the bhikkhu abides reflecting this body as a corpse thrown in the charnel ground
bones turned white like the colour of pearls, bones rotten and turned to powder. This body
too is subject to that same, has not gone beyond it. Thus he abides reflecting the body in
the body internally. Or he abides reflecting the body in the body externlly. Or he abides
reflecting the body in the body internally and externally. Or he abides reflecting the
arising of thoughts in the body. Or he abides reflecting the fading of thoughts in the
body. Or he abides reflecting the arising and fading of thoughts in the body. Or he
establishes mindfulness, there is a body, and abides not supported on anything in the
world. Thus too the bhikkhu abides reflecting the body in the body,
Bhikkhus, how does the bhikkhu abide reflecting the feeling in feelings. Here the
bhikkhu feeling a pleasant feeling knows I feel a pleasant feeling. Feeling an unpleasant
feeling knows I feel an unpleasant feeling. Feeling a neither unpleasant nor pleasant
feeling knows, I feel a neither unpleasant nor a pleasant feeling.. Feeling a pleasant
material feeling, knows I feel a pleasant material feeling. Feeling a pleasant immaterial
feeling knows, I feel a pleasant immaterial feeling..Feeling an unpleasant material
feeling, knows I feel an unpleasant material feeling. Feeling an unpleasant immaterial
feeling, knows I feel an unpleasant immaterial feeling. Feeling a neither unpleasant nor
pleasant material feeling, knows, I feel a neither unpleasant nor pleasanat material
feeling. Feeling a neither unpleasant nor pleasant immaterial feeling, knows I feel a
neither unpleasant nor pleasant immaterial feeling. Thus he abides reflecting the feeling
in feelings internally. Or he abides reflecting the feeling in feelings externally. Or he
abides reflecting the feeling in feelings internally and externally. Or he abides
reflecting the arising of thoughts in feelings, Or he abides reflecting the fading of
thoughts in feelings. Or he abides reflecting the arising and fading of thoughts in
feelings. Or he establishes mindfulness there is a feeling, and abides not supported on
anything in the world. Thus too the bhikkhu abides reflecting the feeling in feelings. .
Bhikkhus, how does the bhikkhu abide reflecting the mental state in the mind. Here, the
bhkkhu with a greedy mind knows, it is a greedy mind. With a non-greedy mind knows, it is
a non-greedy mind. With an angry mind knows, it is an angry mind. With a non-angry mind
knows, it is a non-angry mind. With a deluded mind knows, it is a deluded mind, with a
non-deluded mind knows, it is a non-deluded mind With a non-scattered mind knows, it is a
non-scattered mind. With a scattered mind knows, it is a scattered mind. With a developed
mind knows, it is a developed mind and with an undeveloped mind knows, it is an
undeveloped mind. With a mind with compare knows it is a mind with compare. With a mind
without compare knows, it is a mind without compare.With a concentrated mind knows, it is
a concentrated mind. With an unconcentrated mind knows it is an unconcentrated mind. With
a released mind knows, it is a released mind and with an unreleased mind, knows it is an
unreleased mind .Thus he abides reflecting the mental state in the mind internally, or he
abides reflecting the mental state in the mind externally. Or he abides reflecting the
mental state in the mind internally and externally Or he abides reflecting the arising of
thoughts with the mental state, or he abides reflecting the fading of thoughts with the
mental states. Or he abides reflecting the arising and fading of thoughts with the mental
state. Or mindfulness,established there is a mental state, he abides not supported on
anything in the world. Thus too the bhikkhu abides reflecting the mental state in the
mind. . .
Bhikkhus, how does the bhikkhu abide reflecting the thoughts in the thought Here the
bhikkhu abides reflecting thoughts.on the five hindrances. How does the bhikkhu abide
reflecting thoughts on the five hindrances. When there are sensual interests the bhikkhu
knows, there are sensual interests in me. When there are no sensual interests the bhikkhu
knows, there are no sensual interests in me.When non-arisen sensual intersets arise, he
knows that too. How the arisen sensual interests get dispelled, he knows that too. How
dispelled sensual interests do not rise again, he knows that too. When there is anger, the
bhikkhu knows, there is anger in me. When there is no anger, the bhikkhu knows, there is
no anger in me. When non-arisen anger arises, he knows that too. How arisen anger gets
dispelled, he knows that too. How dispelled anger does not rise again, he knows that too.
When there is sloth and torpor, the bhikkhu knows there is sloth and torpor in me. When
there is no sloth and torpor, the bhikkhu knows, there is no sloth torpor in me. When
non-arisen sloth and torpor arises, he knows that too. How arisen sloth and torpor gets
dispelled, he knows that too. How dispelled sloth and torpor does not rise again, he knows
that too.
When there is excitement and worry the bhikkhu knows, there is excitement and worry in
me. When there is no excitement and worry, the bhikkhu knows, there is no excitement and
worry in me. When non-arisen excitement and worry arises, he knows that too. How arisen
excitement and worry gets dispelled, he knows that too. How dispelled excitement and worry
does not rise again, he knows that too. When there are doubts, the bhikkhu knows, there
are doubts in me. When there are no doubts, the bhikkhu knows there are no doubts in me.
How non-arisen doubts arise, he knows that too. How arisen doubts get dispelled, he knows
that too How dispelled doubts do not rise again, he knows that too. Thus he abides
reflecting thoughts in the thought internally. Or he abides reflecting thoughts in the
thought externally. Or he abides reflecting thoughts in the thought internally and
externally. Or he abides reflecting the arising of thoughts in the thought. Or he abides
reflecting the fading of thoughts in the thought. Or he abides reflecting the arising and
fading of thoughts in the thought. Or mindfulness established, there is a thought, he
abides not supported on anything in the world. Thus too the bhikkhu abides reflecting
thoughts in the thoughts of the five hindrances. .
Again, the bhikkhu abides reflecting thoughts on the five holding masses.How does the
bhikkhu abide reflecting thoughts on the five holding masses Here, the bhikkhu abides
reflecting this is matter, this the arising of matter, this is the fading of matter. These
are feelings, this the arsing of feelings, this the fading of feelings. These are
perceptions, this is the arising of perceptions, and this the fading of perceptions. These
are determinations, this the arising of determinations and this is the fading of
determinations. This is consciousness, this is the arising of consciousness and this is
the fading of consciousness. Thus he abides reflecting thoughts in the thought internally.
Or he abides reflecting thoughts in the thought externally. Or he abides reflecting
thoughts in the thought internally and externally. Or he abides reflecting the arising of
thoughts in the thought. Or he abides reflecting the fading of thoughts in the thought. O
he abides reflecting the arising and fading of thoughts in the thouaght.. Or mindfulness
established, there is a thought, he abides not supported on anything in the world. Thus
too the bhikkhu abides reflecting thoughts in the thoughts of the five holdling masses.. .
. .
Again the bhikkhu abides reflecting thoughts on the six internal and external spheres.
How does the bhikkhu abide reflecting thoughts on the six internal and external spheres:
Here the bhikkhu knows the eye and matter and knows the bond that arises on account of the
two. Knows how the non -arisen bond arises.and how the arisen bond is dispelled. Knows how
the dispelled bond would not rise again. Knows the ear and sounds, and knows the bond that
arises on account of the two. Knows how the non-arisen bond arises and how the arisen bond
is dispelled. Knows how the dispelled bond would not rise again. Knows the nose and
smells, and knows the bond that arises on account of the two. Knows how the non-arisen
bond arises and how the arisen bond is dispelled. Knows how the dispelled bond would not
rise again. Knows the tongue and tastes, and knows the bond that arises on account of the
two. Knows how the non-arisen bond arises and how the arisen bond is dispelled. Knows how
the dispelled bond would not rise again. Knows the body and touches, and knows the bond
that arises on account of the two. Knows how the non-arisen bond arises and how the arisen
bond is dispelled. Knows how the dispelled bond would not rise again.. Knows the mind and
thoughts and knows the bond that arises on account of the two. Knows how the non-arisen
bond arises and how the arisen bond is dispelled. Knows how the dispelled bond would not
rise again. Thus he abides reflecting thoughts in the thought internally. Or he abides
reflecting thoughts in the thought externally. Or he abides reflecting thoughts in the
thought internally and externally. Or he abides reflecting the arising of thoughts in the
thought. Or he abides reflecting the fading of thoughts in the thought. Or he abides
reflecting the arising and fading of thoughts in the thought. Or mindfulness established ,
there is a thought, he abides not supported on anything in the world. Thus too the bhikkhu
abides reflecting thoughts on the six internal and external spheres.
Again the bhikkhu abides reflecting thoughts on the seven enlightenment factors. How
does the bhikkhu abide reflecting thoughts on the seven enlightenment factors. When the
enlightenment factor mindfulness is present, the bhikkhu knows, the enlightenment factor
mindfulness is present When the enlightenment factor mindfulness is not present, he knows,
the enlightenment factor mindfulness is not present. Knows how the non-arisen
enlightenment factor mindfulness arises. Knows how the arisen enlightenment factor
mindfulness gets completed by development. When the enlightenment factor investigation of
the Teaching is present, he knows the enlightenment factor investigation of the Teaching
is present. When the enlightenment factor investigation of the Teaching is not present, he
knows the enlightenment factor investigation of the Teaching is not present. Knows how the
non-arisen enlightenment factor investigation of the Teaching arises. Knows how the arisen
enlightenment factor investigation of the Teaching gets completed by development. When the
enlightenment factor effort is present, he knows the enlightenment factor effort is
present. When the enlightenment factor effort is not present, he knows the enlightenment
factor effort is not present. Knows how the non-arisen enlightenment factor effort arises.
Knows how the arisen enlightenment factor effort gets completed by development. When the
enlightenment factor joy is present, he knows the enlightenment factor joy is pressent.
When the enlightenment factor joy is not present, he knows the enlightenment factor joy is
not present. Knows how the non-arisen enlightenment factor joy arises. Knows how the
arisen enlightenment factor joy gets completed by development. When the enlightenment
factor tranquillity is present, he knows the enlightenment factor tranquillity is present.
When the enlightenment factor tranquillity is not preaent, he knows the enlightenment
factor tranquillity is not present. Knows how the non-arisen enlightenment factor
tranquillity arises. Knows how the arisen enlightenment factor tranquillity gets completed
by development. When the enlightenment factor concentration is present, he knows the
enlightenment factor concentration is present. When the enlightenment factor concentration
is not present, he knows the enlightenment factor concentration is not present. Knows how
the non-arisen enlightenment factor concentration arises. Knows how the arisen
enlightenment factor concentration gets completed by development. When the enlightenment
factor equanimity is present, he knows the enlightenment factor equanimity is present.
When the enlightenment factor equanimity is not present, he knows the enlightenment factor
equanimity is not present. Knows how the non-arisen enlightenment factor equanimity
arises. Knows how the arisen enlightenment factor equanimity gets completed by
developement. Thus he abides reflecting thoughts in the thought internally. Or he abides
reflecting thoughts in the thought externally. Or he abides reflecting thoughts in the
thought internally and externally. Or he abides reflecting the arising of thoughts in the
thought. Or he abides reflecting the fading of thoughts in the thought. Or he abides
reflecting the arising and fading of thoughts in the thought. Or mindfulness is
established, there is a thought, and he abides not supported on anything in the world.
Thus the bhikkhu abides reflecting thoughts on the seven enlightenment factors.
Again, the bhikkhu abides reflecting thoughts on the thoughts of the four noble truths.
How does the bhikkhu abide reflecting thoughts on thoughts of the four noble truths. Here,
the bhikkhu, sees as it really is, this is unpleasant, this is the arising of
unpleasantness, this is the cessation of unpleasantness and this is the path to the
cessaation of unpleasanatness. Thus he abides reflecting thoughts on the thought
interrnally, Or he abides reflecting thoughts on the thought externally. Or he abides
reflecting thoughts on the thought internally and externally, Or he abides reflecting the
arising of thoughts in the thought. Or he abides reflecting the fading of thoughts in the
thought. Or he abides reflecting the arising and fading of thoughts in the thought. Or
mindfullness is established, there is a thought, and he abides not supported on anything
in the world. Thus the bhikkhu abides reflecting thoughts on the thoughts of the four
noble truths.
Whoever bhikkhu develops these four establishments of mindfulness for seven years,
could expect one of these fruits either knowledge of extinction here and now, or become
mindful of not returning with substratum remaining. Leave alone seven years, if he
develops these four establishments of mindfulness for six years, five years, four years,
three years, two years, one year. - Bhikkhus, leave alone one year if he develops these
four establishments of mindfulness for seven months, six months, five months, four months,
three months two months for one month, or even half a month - Bhikkhus, leave alone half a
month, if he develops these four establishments of mindfulness for seven days , could
expect one of these fruits either knowledge of extinction here and now, or become mindful
of not returning with substratum remaining. .
Bhikkhus, there is one single way for the purification of beings, for the ending of
grief and lament, for overcoming unpleasantness and displeasure, for realizing knowledge
and extinction, that is this fourfold esstablishment of mindfulness.if it was said thus,
it was said on account of this.
The Blessed One said thus and those bhikkhus delighted in the words of the Blessed One.
[End of the Muulapariyaayavagga ]
Notes:
1. Abiding reflecting the body in the body.kaaye kaayaanupassii viharati
In the body is the material body of the four primary elements, the
body consists of the six internal and external spheres, It is this six internal and
external spheres that help the body to co-exist. These together work as a living person.
2. Abiding reflecting the feeling in feelings. Vedanaasu vedanaanupassii
viharati In feelings. These are the for ever present feelings that arise with
every sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and idea. This is a non-stop process. On account
of some of these feelings certain other feelings arise, eg. When one is hurt, or when one
is pleased. There arises the feeling in feelings. .
3. Abiding reflecting the mental states in the mind.citte cittaanupassii
viharati The various mental states are the mind with anger, without anger
etcetra. So we have to reflect how they rise, fade, and fade for good.
4. Abiding reflecting thoughts in the thought dhamme dhammaanupassii viharati
With the arising of a thought a train of thoughts follow, so thoughts in the thought are
thoughts and thought processes.
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