The Word of the Buddha The Four Postures
The Word of the BuddhaIV. The Path that Leads to the Extinction of Suffering
1.2. Body Contemplation in Postures
Furthermore, when walking, a bhikkhu discerns walking; when standing, he discerns standing; when sitting, he discerns sitting; when lying down, he discerns lying down. In whatever way the body is oriented, he discerns it accordingly.
Thus, he dwells observing the body in and of itself internally, or he dwells observing the body externally, or he dwells observing the body both internally and externally. He dwells observing the arising nature in the body, or he dwells observing the going-away nature in the body, or he dwells observing both the arising and going-away nature in the body. Or else, mindfulness that ‘there is a body’ is simply established in him to the extent necessary for knowledge and remembrance. He dwells independently and does not cling to anything in the world.
In this way too, a bhikkhu dwells observing the body in and of itself.
Last updated on October 20, 2026