Satipatthana Sutta Study
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Overview and Contents Introduction Body Feeling Mind or Mind States Dhammas, Phenomena, Truth Conclusion Contemplative Study Course |
Satipatthana Sutta Study 4. The Contemplation of Mental Objects or Phenomena This segment of the sutta introduces fundamental teachings. It invites exploration of these teachings and their relationship to aspects of experience previously investigated in the sutta. The five hindrances — The basic qualities of mind that prevent clarity, mindfulness, and awareness are: restlessness, sloth and torpor, grasping, aversion, and doubt. The five aggregates of clinging — Aggregates are elements of the process of consciousness or awareness. They include: body or materiality consciousness perception or cognitions feeling and formations or volition The six internal and external sense bases — Sense bases include both the organs that receive information (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin and nervous system, and mind6), considered external sense bases, and the internal experiences of objects (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching or sensing, and thinking). The seven factors of enlightenment (awakening factors) — The factors of enlightenment are wholesome factors of mind that both support mindfulness and arise because of it. They can be thought of as (1) mindfulness, the central and mediating factor; three calming factors: (2) tranquility, (3) concentration, and (4) equanimity; and three energizing or active factors: (5) investigation, (6) energy, and (7) joy. The four noble truths — (1) There is suffering, (2) but there are causes for suffering (the fundamental cause is not seeing clearly, not seeing things as they are, and therefore clinging to them). (3) In recognizing causes, particularly lack of clarity, suffering can end. (4) The end of suffering can occur through clarity or through practice of the eightfold path. The eightfold path can most briefly be described in three categories: wisdom, concentration or mind training, and ethical behavior. A way to describe the four noble truths phenomenologically is: (1) Phenomena arise. (2, 3) We react unconsciously or respond consciously. (4) Each response conditions succeeding arisings of phenomena and creates future circumstances dependent upon our current behavior. Skillful behavior conditions wholesome unfoldings. Unskillful behavior conditions unwholesome results. Wholesome responses create continued options for further freedom from suffering. Satipatthana Sutta Study - © 2005 Mary Rees Sutta text modified from translation by Analayo. Please see his original translation and excellent commentary: Satipatthana : The Direct Path to Realization  . Birmingham, UK: Windhorse Publications,
2003.
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