THE OPENING PASSAGE

MAHA SATIPATTHANA SUTTA

This is the only way, bhikkus,

for the purification of beings,
for the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation,
for the disappearance of pain and grief,
for reaching the Noble Path,
for the realization of Nibbana,
namely, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.

What are the Four?

Herein (in this teaching), bhikkhus,
a bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body,
ardent, clearly comprehending and mindful,
removing covetousness and grief in the world;

he dwells contemplating the feeling in the feelings,
ardent, clearly comprehending and mindful,
removing covetousness and grief in the world;

he dwells contemplating the consciousness in the consciousness,
ardent, clearly comprehending and mindful,
removing covetousness and grief in the world;

he dwells contemplating the dhamma in the dhammas,
ardent, clearly comprehending and mindful,
removing covetousness and grief in the world.

Please click here for a summary talk on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness
given by Venerable Sayadaw U Silananda