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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 33

Sitting Meditation Postures

Satipaṭṭhāna (Establishment of Mindfulness) everyone for the understanding and realization of the

Here, the writer’s endeavor is to give some idea of what Dhamma. There is no meditation without mindfulness,
Satipaṭṭhāna really means and thereafter to show how no attainment of Nibbāna without mindfulness.
to practice it as a method of objective observation in Establishment of mindfulness is the way, the direct way,
order to see the object as it is, so that one could see the correct way for the purification of all beings.
reality in oneself and the whole universe.
Mindfulness
This characteristic of objective observation is clearly Mindfulness is the seventh factor of the Noble Eightfold
and categorically depicted from the beginning to Path. Here it means practicing and developing the
the end of the Mahā Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (The Great four establishments of mindfulness. When developed,

Discourse on the Establishment of Mindfulness.) This is cultivated and properly established, it gradually
one of the most important discourses delivered by the becomes a spiritual faculty, a mental power, and a factor
Buddha as a manual of mental development (bhāvana). of enlightenment that leads one to the realization of the
In this discourse, the Buddha described four kinds of Four Noble Truths and the attainment of enlightenment.
contemplations. They are: Indeed, it has been called by the Buddha the “Ekāyano
maggo” the one way, or the direct way, to the attainment
Mindfulness of the body (Kāyānupassanā) of Nibbāna.
Mindfulness of sensations (Vedanānupassanā)
Mindfulness of consciousness (Cittānupassanā) From the average man’s point of view, mindfulness is
Mindfulness of mind-objects (Dhammānupassanā) also a very desirable quality. Common sense will tell us
that the practice of mindfulness makes us more alert
These four are further classified into 44 objects of and minimizes the possibility of errors, mistakes, lapses
meditation. All these 44 objects are to be observed and accidents. Common sense also tells us that the habit
objectively for the successful development of meditation of mindfulness will induce a healthy balance, a sense of
and the attainment of perfect peace, Enlightenment. proportion and a sense of mental alertness, and keep us
When one practices objective observation it is constantly on our guard.
nothing but simple calmness and insight (samatha
and vipassanā). Satipaṭṭhāna deals with the fourfold As the Buddha said, mindfulness has the effect of
development of mental qualities. Mindfulness is the purifying beings, overcoming sorrow, and giving entry
most significant factor to be developed and cultivated by to the Noble Eightfold Path ultimately realizing Nibbāna.
practitioners who really want to live happily, peacefully, These results are attainable if the mindfulness practiced
and eventually to attain Nibbāna. So mindfulness is the is not merely mundane or worldly, but mindfulness of a
key word, the watchword in the teaching of the Buddha. spiritual or supra-mundane nature. Once mindfulness
Mindfulness is to be developed and cultivated by is fully developed and cultivated all the promised