Satipähna ("Foundations of mindfulness") is the Buddha's method of wisdom contemplation, best known through the early Satipähna Sutta, which certainly ranks one of the most studied in the Pali Canon. Unfortunately, there is much in it that is interpreted neither consistently nor convincingly, including the role it demands for jhna. Rethinking Satipähna is a critical rereading and reevaluation of the early teachings that vindicates the Sutta as well-composed, coherent and functionally straightforward in virtually all of its details. Satipähna is the practice of investigation that develops the skill of apprehension in Dhammic terms. It selects a particular Dhamma teaching, then investigates, verifies and internalizes it in terms of direct experience. Although it focuses on impermanence and non-self, it is applicable to a large range of experientially based teachings. As in the acquisition of any advanced skill-from playing the cello to driving a car- satipähna begins with a conceptual basis, that through repetition is internalized as increasingly effortless know-how, even while the content of the skill remains the same. The end result is immediate and spontaneous "knowledge and vision," effectively seeing through the eyes of the Buddha. Progressive stillness in jhna proceeds in step with the progressive effortlessness of Dhammic know-how.
Satipähna ("Foundations of mindfulness") is the Buddha's method of wisdom contemplation, best known through the early Satipähna Sutta, which certainly ranks one of the most studied in the Pali Canon. Unfortunately, there is much in it that is interpreted neither consistently nor convincingly, including the role it demands for jhna. Rethinking Satipähna is a critical rereading and reevaluation of the early teachings that vindicates the Sutta as well-composed, coherent and functionally straightforward in virtually all of its details. Satipähna is the practice of investigation that develops the skill of apprehension in Dhammic terms. It selects a particular Dhamma teaching, then investigates, verifies and internalizes it in terms of direct experience. Although it focuses on impermanence and non-self, it is applicable to a large range of experientially based teachings. As in the acquisition of any advanced skill-from playing the cello to driving a car- satipähna begins with a conceptual basis, that through repetition is internalized as increasingly effortless know-how, even while the content of the skill remains the same. The end result is immediate and spontaneous "knowledge and vision," effectively seeing through the eyes of the Buddha. Progressive stillness in jhna proceeds in step with the progressive effortlessness of Dhammic know-how.
Über den Autor
Bhikkhu Cintita is an American Buddhist scholar-monk. He is a former professor and research scientist in linguistics, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence. Since 2001 he has dedicated himself full time to Buddhist study and practice. He ordained in 2003 as a Soto Zen priest, then in 2009 as a Theravada monk in Myanmar. He currently resides in a monastery with 4 Burmese monks in rural Minnesota. He is the author of several books, including Buddhist Life/Buddhist Path, an introduction to Buddhism based on the earliest texts. He's been a meditator for 45 years.
