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34 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

results can be realized; seeing things objectively and not a completely distorted process. Then the facts are
subjectively. definitely distorted, discolored and disorientated.

Subject and Object Perception The teaching of the Buddha is expounded, revealed
According to the teachings of the Buddha, it is very and made clear for the understanding of things as they
important to understand and grasp the distinction really are (yathabhuta). This teaching is to be realized
between objective and subjective perception. Whenever by the wise individual (paccattam veditabbo viññuhi).
a person sees things subjectively he has self-centered The Buddha emphatically said that his Dhamma is
thinking. However, if a person sees things objectively only for the wise. That means for those who see things
he/she can see things as they really are. This is the objectively or without grasping things as their own.
teaching of the Buddha.
Vipassanā

Once when Pythagoras was asked to define who a Sati, or mindfulness, is the lens of the camera or the
philosopher is, he said something to this effect: “When microscope through which one sees all objects whether
all are invited to the feast of life some go there to enjoy, small or large. Without mindfulness, one cannot see
some go there to win name and fame, and there are things as they really are. This is very significant in the
yet others who go there just to look on. These others teachings of the Buddha. This seeing of reality as it
are the philosophers.” What is meant by this is that the is, in the language of the Buddha is called, ‘vipassanā’.
philosopher does not identify himself with life. He looks This is the understanding of the three characteristics
at life standing, as it were, outside of life. That is how of existence namely impermanence, dissatisfaction and
the practitioner of mindfulness should look at things. soullessness. These three characteristics of existence
That is the Buddhist way of practicing mindfulness. are common to all animate and inanimate objects.
The purpose of Satipaṭṭhāna or the establishment of
When one looks at a thing subjectively, there is mental mindfulness is to observe things objectively and to
affinity between oneself and the thing that one is understand the three characteristics of existence and
looking at. Then one brings oneself mentally very live in the world with a mind steady and unattached.
close to what one is looking at. However, if one looks Those who have really practiced and developed
at a thing objectively, one keeps oneself mentally far mindfulness and the four establishments of mindfulness
removed from the object. In short, the practitioner is for the perfection are the Enlightened Ones in the world.
a bare observer, as distinguished from an interested
observer. The observer should be always uninfluenced Once, a certain recluse named Bāhiya came to the
by the observation. That is the real observation. When Buddha and asked him for some quick advice to help
the observer has observed a thing, if the observer is him practice meditation and attain Enlightenment. He
influenced by emotions, the observation becomes asked this while the Buddha was on his alms round.