In the Buddhas Words

An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon

Translated and Edited by Bhikkhu Bodhi

MABAs Buddhist Study Group

Notes for Chapter 8: Mastering the Mind Lessons 4 - JJJJJ

(Tentative dates: December 18th - Unknown)

Lesson 4 The Four Establishments of Mindfulness: the Body

(December 18th)

Text The Four Establishments of Mindfulness [MN 10: Satipatthana Sutta] Pages 281-285 Key Concepts: This is the Buddhas most comprehensive discourse on mindfulness and meditation in his Doctrine and Discipline. This one-way path toward liberation through mindfulness is divided into four arenas (foundations, aspects, or frames of reference) to direct ones meditative attention: Body Feelings Mind Phenomenon Also note the importance of the refrain that is repeated in most sections throughout this Sutta, describing how each Establishment of Mindfulness should be fulfilled both internally and externally. This refrain also gives us an understanding of how mindfulness is really objectless, allowing the meditator to be independent in liberation. Notes: Body Contemplation: Mindfulness of Breathing A meditator knows one is breathing, irrespective of the quality of the breath. Through this mindfulness, one can train the mind to become more and more tranquil. The Four Postures A meditator knows clearly when s/he is walking, standing, sitting, lying down, or deporting oneself in any other posture. Clear Comprehension A meditator acts with clear comprehension when going about daily life. For a definition of clear comprehension (sampajanna) see this link, as well as footnote number 34 for Chapter 8 in the book. Unattractiveness of the Body Contemplating the 31 parts of the body, to reveal its component and unattractive parts. Elements of the Body

MABA Sunday Study Group

Chapter 8 Course Notes Lessons 4 - JJJ

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Reflecting that the body is made up of the earth element, water element, fire element, and the air element. Charnel Ground Contemplations Nine different contemplations to reflect on nine different stages of decomposition of a corpse, using this as insight into the impermanence of ones own body.

Lesson 5 Contemplation of Feelings and the Mind

(December 25th?)

Text The Four Establishments of Mindfulness [MN 10: Satipatthana Sutta] Pages 285-286 Key Concepts: Mindfulness of Feeling directs ones attention to the quality of each successive feeling as being pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral; noting without involvement. Feeling refers to the affective quality of experience, both physical and mental. Mindfulness of Mind refers to awareness of eight pairs of qualities, many opposing qualities, which appear in the mind. Notes: Contemplation of Feeling: When a pleasant feeling arises, the meditator understands I feel a pleasant feeling. Similarly with painful and neither-painful-nor pleasant feelings. This is all; no commentary, just awareness of whether the feeling is pleasant, painful, or neither. Feelings are further divided into carnal and spiritual feelings, with the same method of contemplation applied to them. Contemplation of Mind: A meditator understands a mind with lust as a mind with lust, a mind without lust; A mind with hate as a mind with hate, a mind without hate as a mind without hate; A mind with delusion as a mind with delusion; a mind without delusion as a mind without delusion; A contracted mind as a contracted mind, a distracted mind as a distracted mind; An exalted mind as an exalted mind, an unexalted mind as an unexalted mind; A surpassable mind as surpassable, an unsurpassable mind as unsurpassable; A concentrated mind as concentrated, an unconcentrated mind as unconcentrated; and A liberated mind as liberated, an unliberated mind as unliberated.

MABA Sunday Study Group

Chapter 8 Course Notes Lessons 4 - JJJ

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Lesson 6 Contemplation of Phenomenon (dhammas) and Conclusion of the Path of Mindfulness

Text The Four Establishments of Mindfulness [MN 10: Satipatthana Sutta] Pages 286-290 Key Concepts: Contemplation of Phenomenon involves five primary components of the mental landscape: The Five Hindrances, The Five Skandhas (Aggregates), The Six Sense Bases, The Seven Factors of Enlightenment, and The Four Noble Truths. The conclusion is a description from the Buddha of where this one way path of mindfulness inevitably leads. Notes: Five Hindrances When there is one of the Five Hindrances present, a meditator knows that it is present; when they are absent, s/he knows they are absent. Five Aggregates A meditator knows form, feeling, perception, volition, and consciousness, their origin, and their cessation. The Six Sense Bases A meditator understands (for example) the ear, sounds, and the fetter that arises dependent upon both; as well as how the fetter is to be abandoned such that it does not arise againand so on with the other five senses (including the mind). The Seven Factors of Enlightenment The Seven Factors are: mindfulness, discrimination of phenomenon, energy, rapture, tranquility, concentration, and equanimity. The meditator knows when any of these factors are present or absent, as well as what allows their arising and their cessation. The Four Noble Truths A meditator dwells contemplating any and all phenomenon in terms of the Four Noble Truths. Conclusion to the Satipatthana Sutta when a meditator develops these Four Establishments of Mindfulness for even just seven days, one of two fruits could be expected: either final knowledge here and now, or if there is a trace of clinging left, nonreturning.

MABA Sunday Study Group

Chapter 8 Course Notes Lessons 4 - JJJ

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