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Satipaṭṭhāna SuttaStudy with Meditation

Workshop Part 2.2

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● Samādhi & Satipaṭṭhāna● 4 Noble Truths

● Comparison of Satipaṭṭhāna Contents

Summary & Conclusion

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1) Kāyagatāsati Sutta (MN 119) states that all the 14 exercises in kāyānupassanā together with the 4 jhānas lead to samādhi

2) This contrasts with the vipassanā refrain that follows each exercise in Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta

3) Extracts from Janavasabha Sutta (DN 18) and Cūḷavedalla Sutta (MN 44) confirm that the 4 satipaṭṭhānas lead to samādhi

4) Samādhi·bhāvanā Sutta (AN 4:41) shows that there are 4 types of samādhi

Samādhi & Satipaṭṭhāna

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5) Vitakka·saṇṭhāna Sutta (MN 20) shows that all the 5 methods of stilling distracting thoughts lead to samādhi

6) In light of these instances, to translate samādhi as “concentration” or “one-pointed-ness of mind” may be misleading

7) Thus, the preferred translation for samādhi is “composure” or “focused state of mind”

Samādhi & Satipaṭṭhāna

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8) The Visuddhimagga’s definition of worldly jhāna as “absorption in a conceptual object oblivious of the 5 senses” contradicts the descriptions of jhānas in the suttas, where the 5 senses, especially the body, have not been transcended

9) The Visuddhimagga jhāna is based on a con-ceptual object, but the sutta jhāna is defined according to mental state, not object of focus

Samādhi & Satipaṭṭhāna

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1) Suffering (=1st NT) is to be fully known by developing the 4th NT = Noble Eightfold Path

2) Fully knowing the 1st NT entails discovering its cause, craving (=2nd NT), and simultaneously abandoning it

3) With the abandoning of craving, the cessation of suffering (3rd NT) is realised

4) Developing N8P is often portrayed as a linear process in the suttas, but in reality it is more complex, involving multiple feedback loops

4 Noble Truths

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1) The variations in the 7 major texts are very obvious in kāyānupassanā & dhammānu-passanā

2) The rule of thumb is to regard the common elements as the more authentic

3) Comparison with the 7 major texts is only one of the criteria for Ajahn Sujāto to make his reconstruction of what the “original (Mūla)” Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta could have been like

Comparison of Satipaṭṭhāna Contents

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What are the significant insights for understanding and practice resulting from

this workshop?

For Final Discussion