Satipatthana

In the Theravada Buddhist tradition, IAST|satipaṭṭhāna (Pāli; Skt. IAST|smṛtyupasthāna) refers to a "foundation" ("IAST|paṭṭhāna") for or "presence" ("IAST|upaṭṭhāna"; "upasthāna") of "mindfulness" ("sati"; "IAST|smṛti"). "IAST|Cattāro satipaṭṭhānā" is the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, bases for maintaining moment-by-moment mindfulness and for developing mindfulness through meditation. These four foundations for mindfulness are:
* the body (Pali: "kāyā")
* feelings (or sensations) ("vedanā")
* mind (or consciousness) ("cittā")
* mental objects (or qualities) ("dhammā")

Translation

IAST|Satipaṭṭhāna is a compound term that has been analyzed (and thus translated) in two ways: "IAST|sati-paṭṭhāna" ("foundation of mindfulness"), and "IAST|sati-upaṭṭhāna" ("presence of mindfulness"). [See Anālayo (2006), pp. 29-30; and, Bodhi (2000), p. 1504. Anālayo argues from an etymological standpoint that, while "foundation ["IAST|paṭṭhāna"] of mindfulness" is supported by the Pali commentary, the term "IAST|paṭṭhāna" (foundation) was otherwise unused in the Pali nikayas and is only first used in the Abhidhamma; in contrast, the term "IAST|upaṭṭhāna" (presence or establishment) can in fact be found throughout the nikayas and is readily visible in the Sanskrit equivalents of the compound Pāli phrase "IAST|satipaṭṭhāna" (Skt., "IAST|smṛtyupasthāna" or "IAST|smṛti-upasthāna"). Thus Anālayo states that "presence of mindfulness" (as opposed to "foundation of mindfulness") is more likely to be etymologically correct. Like Anālayo, Bodhi assesses that "establishment [IAST|upaṭṭhāna] of mindfulness" is the preferred translation. However, Bodhi's analysis is more contextual than Anālayo's. According to Bodhi, while "establishment of mindfulness" is normally supported by the textual context, there are exceptions to this rule, such as with SN 47.42 (pp. 1660, 1928 "n". 180) where a translation of "foundation of mindfulness" is best supported.]

Contexts

IAST|Satipaṭṭhāna is a way of implementing the right mindfulness ("sammā-sati") and, less directly, the right concentration ("sammā-samādhi") parts of the Noble Eightfold Path. IAST|Satipaṭṭhāna meditation develops the mental factors of "vipassana" (insight) and "samatha" (calm). IAST|Satipaṭṭhāna is practiced most often in the context of Theravada Buddhism although the principles are also practiced in most traditions of Buddhism which emphasize meditation such as the Soto Zen tradition. [For an example of a Zen master's explicit use of this type of meditation, see Nhat Hanh (2005).]

The four IAST|satipaṭṭhāna are one of the seven sets of "bodhipakkhiyādhammā" (Pali for "states conducive to enlightenment") identified in many schools of Buddhism as a means for achieving Enlightenment or Awakening ("bodhi").

Traditional scriptures

In the Pali Canon, the "IAST|Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta" ("Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness," MN 10) explains how to systematically cultivate mindful awareness. Additionally, in the Samyutta Nikaya is a chapter entitled, "IAST|Satipaṭṭhāna-samyutta," which contains 104 of the Buddha's discourses on the "IAST|satipaṭṭhānas" [Samyutta Nikaya, Ch. 47. See Bodhi (2000), pp. 1627"ff".] including two popular discourses delivered to the townspeople of Sedaka, "the Acrobat" ( [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn47/sn47.019.than.html Thanissaro, 1997a] ) and "the Beauty Queen" ( [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn47/sn47.020.than.html Thanissaro, 1997b] ).

ee also

* Bodhipakkhiya dhamma
* Buddhist meditation
* Kammatthana
* Mindfulness
* Samatha
* Satipatthana Sutta
* Vipassana

Notes

Bibliography

* Anālayo (2006). "Satipatthāna: The Direct Path to Realization". Birmingham: Windhorse Publications. ISBN 1-899579-54-0.

* Bodhi, Bhikkhu (2000). "The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya". Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-168-8.

* Nhat Hanh, Thich (trans. Annabel Laity) (2005). "Transformation and Healing : Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness ". Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press. ISBN 0-938077-34-1.

* Thanissaro Bhikkhu (1997a). "Sedaka Sutta: At Sedaka (The Acrobat)" (SN 47.19). Available at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn47/sn47.019.than.html.

* Thanissaro Bhikkhu (1997b). "Sedaka Sutta: At Sedaka (The Beauty Queen)" (SN 47.20). Available at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn47/sn47.020.than.html.

External links

*IAST|Satipaṭṭhāna-related discourses in the Pali Canon:
** [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/digha/dn22.html IAST|Mahā Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta] (Digha Nikaya 22) [http://www.ohbliss.org/pdf/tipitaka/digha/dn22p.pdf (in Pali)]
** [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/majjhima/mn010a.html IAST|Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta] (Majjhima Nikaya 10)
** [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/index.html#sn47 IAST|Satipaṭṭhāna-samyutta] (Samyutta Nikaya 47 [selected discourses] )

* [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/bps/misc/wayof.html Commentary on the Satipatthana sutta]
* [http://www.tathagata.org/archive/audio/DhammaClass/Satipatthana/SatiClass.html Link to free online class on IAST|Satipaṭṭhāna given by Sayadaw U Silananda]
* [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/modern/thanissaro/agendas.html "Agendas of Mindfulness," by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, a discourse on Satipaṭṭhāna]
* [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/bps/wheels/wheel370.html "Satipatthana Vipassana" or "Insight through Mindfulness," by Mahasi Sayadaw]
* [http://satipatthana.nibbanam.com/ Global Online Satipatthana Recitation]