Mindfulness View in explorer

142 discourses
Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.
Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
Supported by
Right view

Right view

View that is in line with the Dhamma — teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth.

Also known as: right understanding, right belief, view that is inline with the Dhamma
Pāli: sammādiṭṭhi
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Right effort

Right effort

Energy and resolve directed toward preventing unwholesome states from arising, abandoning arisen unwholesome states, cultivating wholesome states, and maintaining arisen wholesome states; persistent application of the mind aligned with the path.

Also known as: right endeavor, right striving
Pāli: sammāvāyāma, padhāna
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Wakefulness

Wakefulness

A bright alertness of mind that remains clear and attentive, unclouded by dullness or drowsiness. It guards the senses and supports continuous mindfulness.

Also known as: lucidity, alertness, vigilance, watchfulness
Pāli: jāgariyā
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Radical attention

Radical attention

The active, deliberate steering of the mind away from habitual, automated reaction patterns. It is the wise steering of attention based on a theme of the Dhamma.

Also known as: wise steering of attention, root-level attention, attention to the structural source, contextual reflection
Pāli: yonisomanasikāra
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Leads to
Examination

Examination

Process of a careful inquiry of mental states, qualities, and phenomena, examining their arising, persisting, and ceasing in order to understand their true nature and support the cultivation of wisdom and awakening.

Also known as: analysis, deliberation, discursive contemplation, investigation, probing, reflection, reviewing, scrutinization, lit. picking
Pāli: vicaya, parikkhati, dhammavicaya, anupekkhita, paccavekkhamāna
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Clear awareness

Clear awareness

Clear comprehension that accompanies mindfulness, knowing what one is doing and why. Clear awareness keeps the mind steady, intentional, and free from distraction.

Also known as: clear awareness, clear comprehension, being intentional, deliberate, purposeful
Pāli: sampajañña, sampajāna
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Opposite
Muddle Mindedness

Muddle-mindedness

Lapsed presence of mind and failure of retention; a scattered or oblivious mental state that forgets its purpose, loses its anchor to the present experience, and leaves the mind passively drifting through distraction or dullness.

Also known as: forgetfulness, unmindful
Pāli: muṭṭhassatī
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Wrong mindfulness

Wrong mindfulness

Misdirected presence of mind and unwholesome retention; the faculty that remembers worldly or harmful narratives, anchors attention to objects of craving and distress, and leaves the mind unguarded against unwholesome states.

Also known as: inferior recollection
Pāli: micchāsati
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Discourses

MN 117 Mahācattārīsaka sutta - The Great Forty

The Buddha expounds the noble right collectedness complete with its supporting conditions, clarifying how the factors of the noble eightfold path give rise to either mundane or supramundane fruits. He shows how right view leads to the sequential development of the path, culminating in right knowledge and right liberation.

PTS 3.71–3.77

DN 22 Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna sutta - The Greater Discourse on the Establishments of Mindfulness

The Buddha’s most detailed exposition of the four establishments of mindfulness. This extended version includes comprehensive definitions of the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the four jhānas within the framework of mindfulness practice.

PTS 2.290–2.315

AN 10.76 Tayodhamma sutta - Three Things

The Buddha outlines a ten-step causal chain revealing how foundational vices like shamelessness lead to suffering, and how cultivating moral prudence and diligence systematically eliminates the root defilements to achieve final liberation.

PTS 5.144–5.148

DN 16 Mahāparinibbāna sutta - The Greater Discourse on Final Nibbāna

The Buddha’s final journey from Rājagaha to Kusinārā, detailing the conditions for non-decline, his illness and relinquishment of the life force, his last instructions to the Saṅgha, his final Nibbāna between the twin sāla trees, the cremation, and the distribution of the relics.

PTS 2.72–2.168

MN 10 Satipaṭṭhāna sutta - Establishments of Mindfulness

The Buddha describes the four establishments of mindfulness to be cultivated in detail, namely - mindfulness of the body, mindfulness of the felt experience, mindfulness of the mind, and mindfulness of the mental qualities.

PTS 1.55–1.62

MN 17 Vanapattha sutta - Forest Retreat

When evaluating environments, the Buddha instructs that a bhikkhu must evaluate his residency solely by his spiritual progress. Whether dwelling in a forest retreat or a city, if mindfulness deepens and the taints come to exhaustion, the practitioner must remain for life, completely prioritizing internal awakening over external ease and material comfort.

PTS 1.104–1.107

MN 38 Mahā taṇhāsaṅkhaya sutta - The Greater Discourse on the Exhaustion of Craving

When a misguided monk clings to the idea of an unchanging consciousness that “wanders through rebirths,” the Buddha corrects him, revealing the truth of dependent co-arising. Consciousness, like fire, arises only through conditions. Tracing the cycle of existence from the four nutriments and conception to the snare of sensory reaction, he shows the way to the complete exhaustion of craving.

PTS 1.256–1.270

MN 66 Laṭukikopama sutta - Simile of the Quail

The Buddha explains how even small attachments can be strong fetters if not relinquished, using similes of a quail and an elephant, and contrasts between the poor and wealthy. He describes four types of practitioners based on their response to attachment and mindfulness. The discourse also presents gradual refinement of meditative attainments from the first jhāna to the cessation of perception and what is felt.

PTS 1.447–1.455

MN 107 Gaṇakamoggallāna sutta - With Gaṇakamoggallāna

When asked if he teaches a gradual training, gradual practice, and gradual progression, the Buddha details a sequence from virtue and sense restraint to the heights of meditation. Through the analogy of a traveler on the road to a city, he explains that while Nibbāna exists, he is merely one who shows the path. Success depends on the practitioner walking the path provided.

PTS 3.1–3.6

MN 125 Dantabhūmi sutta - Ground of Mastery

After Prince Jayasena expresses disbelief about the possibility of attaining unification of mind, the Buddha explains why a life of sensual pleasure blinds one to spiritual truths using two vivid similes. He then uses an analogy of taming a wild elephant, showing how training and renunciation lead to true mastery.

PTS 3.128–3.137

MN 128 Upakkilesa sutta - Impurity

When the Buddha fails to achieve reconciliation among quarrelsome bhikkhus at Kosambi, he withdraws into solitude and later encounters an inspiring community of monks devoted to liberation. He teaches them the path of inner purification based on his own practice prior to full awakening—discerning and abandoning eleven subtle impurities of mind, developing collectedness in three ways, and realizing unshakable liberation.

PTS 3.152–3.162

MN 141 Saccavibhaṅga sutta - Exposition of the Truths

The Buddha affirms the Four Noble Truths as the core of his teaching and praises venerable Sāriputta’s deep understanding of them, who then expounds the truths, detailing suffering in all its forms, the arising of suffering rooted in craving, the end of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path as the way of practice leading to the end suffering.

PTS 3.248–3.252

SN 1.20 Samiddhi sutta - With Samiddhi

A radiant deity tempts young Samiddhi to enjoy sensual pleasures. The Buddha later reveals that true liberation transcends identity and craving, and is only found by those who let go of even the need to describe themselves.

PTS 1.8–1.12

SN 46.2 Kāya sutta - The Body

Using the role of food as nutriment that sustains and endures the body, the Buddha describes the nutriments for the arising and growth of the five hindrances and the seven factors of awakening.

PTS 5.64–5.66

SN 47.19 Sedaka sutta - At Sedaka

Through a parable of an acrobat and his apprentice, the Buddha teaches that protecting oneself through mindfulness also protects others, and vice versa. Self-discipline through mindfulness leads to communal safety, while patience and compassion for others strengthens one’s own path. True protection begins with personal responsibility in Dhamma.

PTS 5.168

AN 4.191 Sotānugata sutta - Followed by Ear

The Buddha describes four benefits of deeply internalizing the Dhamma. Even if one dies muddle-minded, they are reborn among the deities, where hearing the Dhamma again and recollecting their past spiritual practice enables them to swiftly reach distinction.

PTS 2.185–2.186

AN 10.61 Avijjā sutta - Ignorance

While a first point of ignorance is not discerned, it can be discerned that ignorance has a supporting condition. The Buddha explains the nutriments for ignorance and the nutriments for true knowledge and liberation, along with how they are fulfilled.

PTS 5.113–5.115

AN 5.28 Pañcaṅgika sutta - Fivefold Collectedness

The Buddha teaches the cultivation of the noble fivefold right collectedness with vivid similes, and shares how one who has cultivated this can realize any phenomenon realizable by direct knowledge.

PTS 3.25–3.28

AN 6.10 Mahānāma sutta - With Mahānāma

When Mahānāma inquires about the frequent abidings of a stream-enterer who has cognized the Dhamma, the Buddha reveals six foundational recollections. A frequent cultivation of these recollections allows the stream-enterer to remain completely steady even when living amidst unbalanced and afflicted people.

PTS 3.284–3.287

AN 6.30 Anuttariya sutta - Unsurpassable

The Buddha describes the six unsurpassable things among seeing, listening, acquisitions, training, service, and recollection.

PTS 3.325–3.328

AN 10.60 Girimānanda sutta - To Girimānanda

When the monk Girimānanda becomes gravely ill, the Buddha prescribes ten profound contemplations.

PTS 5.108–5.112

MN 25 Nivāpa sutta - Bait

Using a simile of a deer-trapper laying down bait in order to trap herds of deer, the Buddha illustrates how ascetics and brahmins come under the psychic power and control of Māra and how one can become invisible and go beyond the Māra’s sight.

PTS 1.151–1.159

MN 152 Indriyabhāvanā sutta - Development of the Sense Faculties

When a young brahmin claims that avoiding sights and sounds constitutes development of the sense faculties, the Buddha reveals that true cultivation lies in understanding pleasant and unpleasant experiences as constructed and transient through an examination of the six sense bases. He contrasts the trainee, still swayed by agreeable and disagreeable, with the noble one who has attained mastery over perception.

PTS 3.298

SN 46.53 Aggi sutta - Fire

The Buddha explains which factors of awakening are suitable to cultivate when the mind is sluggish or restless, using a metaphor of tending a fire.

PTS 5.112–5.114

AN 4.41 Samādhibhāvanā sutta - Developments of Collectedness

The Buddha explains four developments of collectedness that, when cultivated and frequently practiced, lead to 1) a pleasant abiding in the here and now, 2) the attainment of knowledge and vision, 3) radical comprehension, and 4) the wearing away of the taints.

PTS 2.44–2.45

UD 4.1 Meghiya sutta - With Meghiya

When the venerable Meghiya seeks solitude for meditation before his mind is mature, unwholesome thoughts arise and disturb him. Returning to the Buddha, he learns of five conditions that lead to the ripening of the undeveloped mind, beginning with good friendship.

PTS 34–36

MN 51 Kandaraka sutta - With Kandaraka

Prompted by an elephant trainer's observation on the tangled, deceitful nature of humans compared to animals, the Buddha categorizes humanity into four kinds based on who they torment. He then details the profound path of the fourth person—the one who abandons all harm to attain complete, unburdened liberation in this very life.

PTS 1.339–1.348

SN 45.8 Vibhaṅga sutta - Analysis

The Buddha explains in detail each factor of the noble eightfold path—right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right collectedness.

PTS 5.8–5.9

SN 47.10 Bhikkhunupassaya sutta - The Bhikkhunīs’ Quarters

The Buddha teaches Ānanda about directed and undirected meditation. When mental fever, sluggishness, or distraction arises during mindfulness practice, one directs the mind to an inspiring theme to arouse joy, tranquility, and collectedness.

PTS 5.154–5.157

SN 47.12 Nālanda sutta - At Nālandā

Venerable Sāriputta declares a “lion's roar” of faith in the Buddha's unsurpassed awakening. Using a fortress gatekeeper simile, he infers a universal Dhamma principle: all Buddhas awaken by abandoning the five hindrances, establishing mindfulness, and cultivating the seven awakening factors.

PTS 5.159–5.160

SN 48.50 Āpaṇa sutta - At Āpaṇa

The Buddha asks Sāriputta if a devoted disciple harbors any doubt about the Tathāgata or his teaching. Sāriputta explains how unwavering faith naturally generates energy, mindfulness, collectedness, and penetrating wisdom. Through direct personal experience of Nibbāna—rather than mere hearsay—the disciple’s faith transforms into absolute, unshakeable conviction. The Buddha praises this analysis.

PTS 5.225–5.226

SN 48.42 Uṇṇābhabrāhmaṇa sutta - The Brahmin Uṇṇābha

The distinct fields of the five senses converge in the mind, but what does the mind take recourse in?

PTS 5.217–5.218

SN 45.160 Nadī sutta - River

Just as it is impossible to make the river Ganges flow against its natural course, so too is it impossible for a bhikkhu whose mind has long been inclined toward seclusion to abandon the Noble Eightfold Path and return to lay life.

PTS 5.53

SN 46.24 Ayonisomanasikāra sutta - Attending Superficially

Attending superficially causes the five hindrances to expand and the awakening factors to cease. Attending radically leads to the abandoning of the five hindrances and the awakening factors to reach fulfillment.

PTS 5.84

SN 46.51 Āhāra sutta - Nutriment

The Buddha describes the nutriments for the sustenance of the five hindrances and the seven factors of awakening.

PTS 5.102–5.107

SN 47.5 Akusalarāsi sutta - Heap of the Unwholesome

The Buddha separates the unwholesome from the wholesome, with the five hindrances representing the unwholesome and the four establishments of mindfulness representing the wholesome.

PTS 5.145

SN 47.6 Sakuṇagghi sutta - Hawk

Using a parable of a quail and a hawk, the Buddha explains that straying into the domain of sensual pleasures makes one vulnerable to Māra. A practitioner who stays within their own ancestral resort cannot be overcome by Māra.

PTS 5.146–5.147

SN 47.7 Makkaṭa sutta - Monkey

The Buddha uses the simile of a monkey caught in a sticky trap to illustrate the dangers of wandering in unsuitable places and the importance of mindfulness.

PTS 5.148

SN 48.10 Dutiya vibhaṅga sutta - Analysis of Five Faculties (Second)

The Buddha provides a detailed analysis of the five spiritual faculties. He defines faith as conviction in the Buddha’s awakening, energy as the four right efforts, mindfulness as the four establishments of mindfulness, collectedness as the four jhānas, and wisdom as discerning the Four Noble Truths as they truly are.

PTS 5.197–5.198

SNP 5.13 Udayamāṇavapucchā - Udaya’s Questions

The venerable Udaya approaches the Buddha with questions about liberation through final knowledge, the fettering of the world, and how to live mindfully for consciousness to cease.

PTS 213

AN 4.117 Ārakkha sutta - Guarding

By actively protecting the mind from enticing, irritating, deceptive, and intoxicating phenomena, a practitioner attains freedom from fear, wavering, and they do not go by the mere word of an ascetic.

PTS 2.120

AN 4.123 Paṭhama nānākaraṇa sutta - Difference (First)

The Buddha shares the four kinds of persons — those who cultivate the first jhāna, the second jhāna, the third jhāna, and the fourth jhāna while perceiving gratification — and the difference in their rebirths.

PTS 2.126–2.127

AN 4.124 Dutiya nānākaraṇa sutta - Difference (Second)

The Buddha shares the four kinds of persons — those who cultivate the first jhāna, the second jhāna, the third jhāna, and the fourth jhāna while perceiving drawbacks — and the difference in their rebirths.

PTS 2.128–2.129

AN 6.20 Dutiya maraṇassati sutta - Recollection Of Death (Second)

The Buddha explains how to cultivate recollection of death so that it is of great fruit and great benefit, and leads to the deathless.

PTS 3.306–3.308

AN 6.29 Udāyī sutta - Udāyī

Following Udāyī’s failure to answer, Ānanda outlines five subjects of recollection including the jhānas, perception of light, and contemplating the body’s impurities and mortality. The Buddha then adds a sixth one.

PTS 3.322–3.324

AN 8.83 Mūlaka sutta - Rooted

The Buddha provides an eight-step psychological framework regarding the underlying nature of human experience.

PTS 4.338

AN 10.104 Bīja sutta - Seeds

With wrong view, all actions lead to suffering. With right view, all actions lead to happiness. The Buddha explains this with an example of seeds.

PTS 5.212–5.213

ITI 47 Jāgariya sutta - Wakefulness

One of two results is to be expected for a bhikkhu who dwells wakeful, mindful, clearly aware, collected, joyful, tranquil, and discerning with clarity at a suitable occasion in regard to the wholesome mental qualities — 1.) full awakening here and now, or 2.) the state of non-returning.

PTS 41

SN 47.3 Bhikkhu sutta - A Bhikkhu

A bhikkhu asks the Buddha for a brief teaching to practice in seclusion. The Buddha instructs him to establish well-purified virtue and straighten his view, and then cultivate the four establishments of mindfulness internally, externally, and both internally and externally.

PTS 5.142–5.143

SN 48.8 Daṭṭhabba sutta - To Be Seen

The Buddha explains exactly where the five spiritual faculties are to be seen in practice. Faith is to be seen in the factors of stream-entry, energy in the four right strivings, mindfulness in the four establishments of mindfulness, collectedness in the four jhānas, and wisdom in the Four Noble Truths.

PTS 5.196

SN 48.9 Paṭhama vibhaṅga sutta - Analysis of the Five Faculties (First)

The Buddha defines the five spiritual faculties required for awakening: faith in the Tathāgata, steadfast energy, supreme mindfulness, collectedness through letting go, and the penetrative wisdom that discerns impermanence and leads to the end of suffering.

PTS 5.196

SN 48.11 Paṭilābha sutta - Acquires

The Buddha defines the five spiritual faculties. Here, he introduces a distinct, practical framing for 1.) the faculty of energy, defined as the energy one acquires by undertaking the four right strivings, and 2.) the faculty of mindfulness, defined as the mindfulness one acquires by undertaking the four establishments of mindfulness.

PTS 5.199

SNP 4.16 Sāriputta sutta - Sāriputta

Venerable Sāriputta inquires of the Buddha about how a bhikkhu dwelling in solitude should deal with various challenges and cultivate the path. The Buddha delivers a complete guide for dispelling the darkness, moving from withstanding hardships to dispelling ‘distressing thoughts’ and ultimately purifying the mind from the ‘five kinds of dust.’

PTS 185–189

AN 7.53 Nandamātā sutta - Nanda’s Mother

After the lay disciple Nandamātā is visited by the deity Vessavaṇa, she recounts the event to the venerable Sāriputta. She then lists her seven wonderful and marvelous qualities, including profound equanimity in the face of tragedy, her attainment of the four jhānas, and her attainment of non-returning.

PTS 4.63–4.66

AN 10.58 Mūlaka sutta - Rooted

The Buddha reveals the ten foundational dynamics of all phenomena. Rooted in desire and brought into being through the steering of attention, all phenomena converge on feeling, are surpassed by wisdom, and ultimately culminate in Nibbāna.

PTS 5.106

MN 8 Sallekha sutta - Effacement

The Buddha distinguishes pleasant abidings in the here and now from the way of effacement leading upwards to complete quenching. Effacement is shown as the gradual chipping away of defilements through restraint, cultivation of the noble eightfold path, and diligent training, culminating in the complete freedom of Nibbāna.

PTS 1.40–1.45

MN 27 Cūḷahatthipadopama sutta - The Lesser Discourse on the Simile of the Elephant’s Footprint

Using the simile of an elephant’s footprint, the Buddha illustrates how confidence in him develops gradually through practice. A noble disciple trains in conduct, sense restraint, contentment, and mindfulness, progressing through the |jhānas::::jah-naas|. Unshakable confidence in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha arises through direct knowledge and liberation.

PTS 1.175–1.183

MN 31 Cūḷagosiṅga sutta - The Lesser Discourse in Gosiṅga

The Buddha finds Anuruddha, Nandiya, and Kimbila living in exemplary harmony—goodwill in body, speech, and mind; shared duties; noble silence; and an all-night Dhamma discussion every fifth day. They can enter the four |jhānas::::jah-naas| and the formless attainments at will, culminating in the exhaustion of the taints from having seen with wisdom.

PTS 1.205–1.211

MN 36 Mahāsaccaka sutta - The Greater Discourse with Saccaka

The Buddha explains the difference between cultivation and lack of cultivation with regard to body and mind, and recounts his own journey to full awakening.

PTS 1.237–1.250

MN 39 Mahāassapura sutta - The Greater Discourse at Assapura

The Buddha outlines a progressive training guideline for the bhikkhus to undertake in order to be recognized as ascetics and brahmins. The Buddha also describes the abandonment of the five hindrances, the four |jhānas::::jah-naas|, and the three knowledges using similes.

PTS 1.271–1.280

MN 44 Cūḷavedalla sutta - The Shorter Series Of Questions And Answers

A series of questions and answers between the lay follower Visākha and bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā that clarify subtle yet important aspects of the teachings. Topics covered include personal existence, Noble Eightfold Path, intentional constructs, attainment of cessation of perception and what is felt, felt experience, underlying tendencies and various counterparts.

PTS 1.299–1.304

MN 62 Mahārāhulovāda sutta - The Greater Discourse on Advice to Rāhula

The Buddha instructs Rāhula on how to regard the five aggregates as not-self which he immediately applies to practice. The Buddha then teaches Rāhula on how to meditate on the elements, the divine abodes, unattractiveness, impermanence, and mindfulness of breathing to abandon unwholesome mental qualities and cultivate wholesome mental qualities.

PTS 1.420–1.425

MN 123 Acchariyaabbhuta sutta - Wonderful and Marvelous

Venerable Ānanda recollects the wonderful and marvelous qualities of the Tathāgata, the Buddha, relating to his conception and birth. The Buddha then caps it off by sharing what he considers the most wonderful and marvelous quality of all.

PTS 3.118–3.123

MN 137 Saḷāyatanavibhaṅga sutta - Exposition on the Six Sense Bases

The Buddha provides a detailed analysis of the six sense bases, differentiating worldly feelings based on attachment from those born of renunciation and insight. He outlines a progressive path of abandoning lower states for higher ones, guiding practitioners through refined meditative states toward complete liberation.

PTS 3.215–3.222

MN 139 Araṇavibhaṅga sutta - Exposition on Non-conflict

True peace is found not through suppression or indulgence, but through understanding. The Buddha teaches how to discern a practice that is a source of conflict and that which is free from conflict, addressing the pursuit of sensual happiness, self-mortification, evaluation of different modes of pleasure, and distinguishing between different kinds of speech.

PTS 3.230–3.236

ITI 17 Dutiya sekha sutta - Trainee (Second)

There is no other single external factor as helpful as good friendship for a trainee bhikkhu who is aspiring for the highest goal.

PTS 10

ITI 27 Mettābhāvanā sutta - Development Of Loving-kindness

The Buddha uses similes to illustrate the benefits of developing loving-kindness. The liberation of mind by loving-kindness surpasses all other forms of merit-making associated with acquisitions by far.

PTS 19–21

ITI 46 Sikkhānisaṁsa sutta - With Training as Benefit

The Buddha advises to live with training as the benefit, wisdom as the north star, liberation as the essence, ruled by mindfulness.

PTS 40

ITI 52 Paṭhama vedanā sutta - Felt Experiences (First)

The Buddha describes the three felt experiences that are experienced on contact through the sense doors - pleasant, painful, and neither-painful-nor-pleasant.

PTS 46

ITI 85 Asubhānupassī sutta - Contemplating Unattractiveness

The Buddha advises to 1.) dwell contemplating the unattractive nature of the body, 2.) establish mindfulness as the primary focal point while breathing in and out, and 3.) observe impermanence in all conditioned phenomena.

PTS 80

ITI 92 Saṅghāṭikaṇṇa sutta - Corner of Robe

The Buddha teaches that one could be far from him despite being physically close, and one could be near to him despite being physically far. When one sees the Dhamma, one sees the Buddha.

PTS 90–91

ITI 111 Sampannasīla sutta - Virtuous

The Buddha describes the subsequent training guideline to virtuous conduct - to practice being free of the unwholesome states craving, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and worry, and doubt while walking, standing, sitting, and lying down.

PTS 118–120

SN 4.7 Supati sutta - Sleep

The Buddha, after walking back and forth in the open air for much of the night, lies down in the lion's posture. Māra approaches him and taunts him for sleeping.

PTS 1.107

SN 11.4 Vepacitti sutta - With Vepacitti

When a victorious lord of the devas endures a captured enemy's insults with perfect calm, his charioteer questions his strength.

PTS 1.220–1.221

SN 35.245 Kiṁsukopama sutta - The Kiṁsuka Tree

The Buddha uses a simile of a kiṁsuka tree to explain the different perspectives of the bhikkhus on the purification of vision. He then shares a simile of a lord of the city to share the importance of the Noble Eightfold Path.

PTS 4.191–4.194

SN 36.1 Samādhi sutta - Collectedness

The Buddha describes the three felt experiences that are experienced on contact through the sense doors - pleasant, painful, and neither-painful-nor-pleasant.

PTS 4.204

SN 43.12 Asaṅkhata sutta - The Unconditioned

The unconditioned is the ending of desire, aversion, and delusion. The 37 factors leading to the unconditioned are described in brief.

PTS 4.362–4.367

SN 45.23 Paṭhama paṭipadā sutta - Way of Practice (First)

The Buddha distinguishes the wrong way of practice and the right way of practice.

PTS 5.18

SN 45.24 Dutiya paṭipadā sutta - Way of Practice (Second)

The Buddha distinguishes the wrong way of practice and the right way of practice and their outcomes.

PTS 5.18

SN 46.1 Himavanta sutta - Himalayas

The Buddha presents a simile of the nāgas, serpent beings, who rely on the Himalayas to nurture their bodies and acquire strength before entering the ocean, as a metaphor for the bhikkhu cultivating the seven factors of awakening to attain greatness and expansiveness of mental qualities.

PTS 5.63

SN 46.4 Vattha sutta - Clothes

Venerable Sāriputta explains how he can dwell in any of the seven factors of awakening at will, knowing their qualities and conditions. He likens this mastery to a king or royal minister freely choosing garments from a wardrobe for morning, midday, or evening wear.

PTS 5.70–5.71

SN 46.5 Bhikkhu sutta - Bhikkhu

When a bhikkhu asks the Buddha why the factors of awakening are called so, the Buddha gives a simple and direct answer, ‘since they lead to awakening.’

PTS 5.72

SN 46.6 Kuṇḍaliya sutta - With Kuṇḍaliya

When the wanderer Kuṇḍaliya asks the Buddha about the purpose of his living the spiritual life, the Buddha describes a gradual path, beginning with sense restraint and leading to the experience of the fruit of true knowledge and liberation.

PTS 5.73–5.74

SN 46.14 Paṭhama gilāna sutta - Illness (First)

When the venerable Mahākassapa falls gravely ill, the Buddha visits him and teaches him about the seven factors of awakening. This inspired the venerable Mahākassapa to a swift recovery from his illness.

PTS 5.79

SN 46.15 Dutiya gilāna sutta - Illness (Second)

When the venerable Mahāmoggallāna falls gravely ill, the Buddha visits him and recites the seven factors of awakening. This inspires Mahāmoggallāna to a swift recovery from his illness.

PTS 5.80

SN 46.16 Tatiya gilāna sutta - Illness (Third)

When the Buddha falls gravely ill, the venerable Mahācunda visits him and recites the seven factors of awakening. This inspires the Buddha to a swift recovery from his illness.

PTS 5.81

SN 46.23 Ṭhāniya sutta - Serving As A Basis

The Buddha explains how frequently paying attention to certain things can lead to the arising and expansion of hindrances and awakening factors.

PTS 5.84

SN 46.34 Anupakkilesa sutta - Not Impurities

The Buddha shares the seven factors of awakening which are non-obstructive, non-hindering, and not impurities of the mind. When cultivated and frequently practiced, these factors lead to the realization of the fruit of liberation and true knowledge.

PTS 5.93

SN 46.35 Ayonisomanasikāra sutta - Attending Superficially

Attending superficially causes the five hindrances to expand and attending radically leads to the awakening factors to reach fulfillment.

PTS 5.93

SN 46.37 Āvaraṇanīvaraṇa sutta - Obstructions

The five hindrances are impurities weakening wisdom, while the seven factors of awakening are non-obstructions.

PTS 5.94

SN 47.1 Ambapāli sutta - Ambapāli

The Buddha teaches the four establishments of mindfulness as the direct path for the purification of beings and for the personal realization of Nibbāna.

PTS 5.141

SN 47.2 Sati sutta - Mindfulness

The Buddha explains how a bhikkhu should live with mindfulness and clear awareness.

PTS 5.142–5.143

SN 47.4 Sāla sutta - At Sālā

The Buddha explains that all bhikkhus should cultivate the four establishments of mindfulness, clarifying how the practice serves different purposes based on one's development - for new bhikkhus to know reality, and for trainees to gain full understanding. The perfectly Awakened Ones also abide in them, now disentangled.

PTS 5.144

SN 47.9 Gilāna sutta - Illness

After recovering from a severe illness, the Buddha tells Ānanda that he holds no "teacher's closed fist" with regard to the Dhamma and instructs the bhikkhus to be an island unto themselves, with themselves and the Dhamma as their only refuge.

PTS 5.152–5.153

SN 47.13 Cunda sutta - Cunda

On the passing away of Sāriputta, the Buddha advises Ānanda to be an island unto himself, with no other refuge, with the Dhamma as his island, with the Dhamma as his refuge, not dependent on another as a refuge.

PTS 5.161–5.162

SN 47.18 Brahma sutta - Brahma

Just after the Buddha's awakening, he identifies the four establishments of mindfulness as the direct path to Nibbāna. Brahmā Sahampati confirms this teaching and praises the one who understands it.

PTS 5.167

SN 47.20 Janapadakalyāṇī sutta - Beauty Queen

The Buddha uses a simile of a man carrying a full bowl of oil past a great distraction, followed by an executioner ready to strike if he spills a drop, illustrating the life-or-death urgency one ought to bring forth in cultivating and frequently practicing in mindfulness directed to the body.

PTS 5.169–5.170

SN 47.21 Sīla sutta - Virtue

The venerable Bhadda asks the venerable Ānanda about the purpose of wholesome virtue. Ānanda answers that the Buddha taught wholesome virtue for the purpose of cultivating the four establishments of mindfulness.

PTS 5.171

SN 47.29 Sirivaḍḍha sutta - Sirivaḍḍha

When the householder Sirivaḍḍha is ill, he seeks the venerable Ānanda’s counsel. When the venerable Ānanda guides him in the four establishments of mindfulness, the householder declares to have already cultivated them. Moreover, he is free from the five lower fetters.

PTS 5.176–5.177

SN 47.35 Sati sutta - Mindfulness

The Buddha explains how a bhikkhu should live with mindfulness and clear awareness.

PTS 5.180

SN 47.40 Vibhaṅga sutta - Analysis

The Buddha defines establishing mindfulness across four domains: body, felt experience, mind, and mental qualities. Cultivating this mindfulness involves observing their arising and vanishing nature, a profound practice achieved by diligently walking the Noble Eightfold Path.

PTS 5.183

SN 47.95 Ogha sutta - Flood

The four floods of sensual pleasures, continued existence, views, and ignorance are described in brief. The four establishments of mindfulness should be cultivated for directly knowing, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these floods.

PTS 5.191–5.192

SN 47.96 Yoga sutta - Bonds

The four bonds of sensual pleasures, continued existence, views, and ignorance are described in brief. The four establishments of mindfulness should be cultivated for directly knowing, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these bonds.

PTS 5.191–5.192

SN 47.97 Upādāna sutta - Clinging

The four kinds of clinging - 1) clinging to sensual pleasures, 2) clinging to views, 3) clinging to rules and observances, and 4) clinging to a doctrine of self - are described in brief. The four establishments of mindfulness should be cultivated for directly knowing, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these bonds.

PTS 5.191–5.192

SN 47.98 Gantha sutta - Knots

The four knots of craving, ill will, clinging to rules and observances, and clinging to the idea that ‘This is the truth’ are described. The four establishments of mindfulness should be cultivated for directly knowing, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these knots.

PTS 5.191–5.192

SN 47.99 Anusaya sutta - Underlying Tendencies

The seven underlying tendencies - 1) sensual desire, 2) aversion, 3) wrong view, 4) doubt, 5) conceit, 6) attachment to existence, and 7) ignorance - are described in brief. The four establishments of mindfulness should be cultivated for directly knowing, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these tendencies.

PTS 5.191–5.192

SN 47.100 Kāmaguṇa sutta - Cords of Sensual Pleasure

The five cords of sensual pleasure are described in brief. The four establishments of mindfulness should be cultivated for directly knowing, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these five cords of sensual pleasure.

PTS 5.191–5.192

SN 47.101 Nīvaraṇa sutta - Hindrances

The five hindrances - 1) sensual desire, 2) ill will, 3) dullness and drowsiness, 4) restlessness and worry, and 5) doubt - are described in brief. The four establishments of mindfulness should be cultivated for directly knowing, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these five cords of sensual pleasure.

PTS 5.191–5.192

SN 47.102 Upādānakkhandha sutta - Aggregates Subject to Clinging

The five aggregates that are subject to clinging - 1) form, 2) feeling, 3) perception, 4) intentional constructs, and 5) consciousness - are described in brief. The four establishments of mindfulness should be cultivated for directly knowing, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these five aggregates that are subject to clinging.

PTS 5.191–5.192

SN 47.103 Orambhāgiya sutta - Lower Fetters

The five lower fetters - 1) personality view, 2) doubt, 3) attachment to rites and rituals, 4) sensual desire, and 5) ill will - are described in brief. The four establishments of mindfulness should be cultivated for directly knowing, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these five lower fetters.

PTS 5.191–5.192

SN 47.104 Uddhambhāgiyādi sutta - Higher Fetters

The five higher fetters - 1) Passion for worldly existence, 2) passion for formless existence, 3) conceit, 4) restlessness, and 5) ignorance - are described in brief. The four establishments of mindfulness should be cultivated for direct knowledge, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these five higher fetters.

PTS 5.191–5.192

SN 48.18 Paṭipanna sutta - Practicing

The Buddha declares that varying levels of fulfillment of the five spiritual faculties determine whether one is an Arahant, a non-returner, a once-returner, or a stream-enterer.

PTS 5.202

SN 54.2 Bojjhaṅga sutta - Factors of Awakening

The Buddha explains that mindfulness while breathing in and out yields great fruit when integrated with the seven factors of awakening.

PTS 5.312

SN 56.34 Cela sutta - Clothes

The Buddha explains the urgency of understanding the Four Noble Truths to end suffering with a simile of extinguishing a fire on one’s clothes or head.

PTS 5.440

SNP 3.2 Padhāna sutta - Striving

The Buddha recounts his striving and meditation under the Nerañjarā river, where he was approached by Māra. The Buddha rejects Māra's temptations and describes the qualities of a true practitioner who conquers Māra's army.

PTS 74–77

SNP 4.1 Kāmasutta - Sensual Pleasures

In this teaching, the Buddha succinctly shares the allure and the drawbacks of desiring sensual pleasures.

PTS 151–152

SNP 4.10 Purābheda sutta - Before the Breakup

The Buddha describes the conduct of a person who is said to be ‘peaceful’. Such a person is free from craving before the breaking up of body. He is one who examines distinctions in all contacts, withdrawn, straightforward, unassuming, unmoved amid views, not holding to a construct, and for whom, there is no ‘mine’ in the world.

PTS 166–167

SNP 5.1 Ajitamāṇavapucchā - Ajita’s Questions

The venerable Ajita asks the Buddha a series of questions about the nature of the world, the currents of defilements, how to overcome name and form and the conduct of those who have comprehended the Dhamma.

PTS 190–196

SNP 5.2 Tissametteyyamāṇavapucchā - Tissa Metteyya’s Questions

The Buddha answers the venerable Tissa Metteyya's questions about who is content in the world, who is not perturbed, and who has gone beyond the net of existence.

PTS 197–198

SNP 5.4 Mettagūmāṇavapucchā - Mettagū’s Questions

The venerable Mettagū asks the Blessed One about the arising of suffering and how the wise cross the flood of birth and sorrow. The Buddha shares a Dhamma that is directly visible, revealing that sufferings have acquisitions as their source and showing the path for the wise to reach the far shore, free from craving and untroubled.

PTS 199–200

SNP 5.12 Bhadrāvudhamāṇavapucchā - Bhadrāvudha’s Questions

Responding to Bhadrāvudha’s request to teach the gathered crowd, the Buddha warns that Māra pursues beings through the very things they cling to. He instructs the mindful bhikkhu to dispel all acquisitive craving—above, below, and across—recognizing that the world is ensnared in the realm of death solely through attachment.

PTS 212

SNP 5.15 Mogharājamāṇavapucchā - Mogharāja’s Question

The venerable Mogharāja asks the Buddha how to look upon the world so that the King of Death does not see one. The Buddha advises to look upon the world as empty, being ever mindful, and to uproot the sense of self.

PTS 215

AN 1.219-234 Catuttha Etadagga vagga - The Chapter on the Foremost (Fourth)

The Buddha describes the foremost of his bhikkhu disciples in various categories.

PTS 1.24

AN 1.394-574 Aparaaccharāsaṅghāta vagga - The Chapter on the Finger Snap

How much practice makes one a true practitioner? The Buddha declares that even a “finger snap” of cultivation fulfills the Teacher's instruction. A rapid-fire survey of the path's essential practices, emphasizing that if a moment is worthy, frequent practice is beyond measure.

PTS 1.38

AN 2.42-51 Parisa vagga - The Chapter on the Assemblies

The Buddha contrasts shallow and deep, factious and unified, worldly and Dhamma-centered assemblies. Communities bound by empty talk, indulgence, and discord decline, while those rooted in seclusion, concord, discipline, inquiry, and the good Dhamma flourish.

PTS 1.70–1.75

AN 3.40 Ādhipateyya sutta - Authorities

The Buddha explains the three guiding authorities for developing wholesome qualities and maintaining purity - 1) Oneself, 2) world, and 3) Dhamma.

PTS 1.147–1.149

AN 3.49 Ātappakaraṇīya sutta - Vigour

The Buddha describes three cases where vigour should be applied.

PTS 1.153–1.154

AN 3.66 Sāḷha sutta - With Sāḷha

The venerable Nandaka teaches Sāḷha and his friend about how to independently verify the unwholesome and wholesome mental qualities.

PTS 1.193–1.196

AN 4.14 Saṁvara sutta - Restraint

The Buddha outlines the four right strivings: striving for restraint, striving to abandon, striving to cultivate, and striving to protect.

PTS 2.16

AN 6.1 Paṭhamaāhuneyya sutta - Worthy of Offerings (First)

The Buddha explains the six qualities in relation to the six senses that makes a person worthy of offerings, hospitality, gifts, and reverence.

PTS 3.279

AN 6.8 Anuttariya sutta - Unsurpassable

The Buddha outlines the six unsurpassable things in seeing, hearing, acquisitions, training, service, and recollection.

PTS 3.284–3.287

AN 6.9 Anussatiṭṭhāna sutta - Subjects for Recollection

The Buddha outlines the six subjects for recollection: the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Saṅgha, virtue, generosity, and the deities.

PTS 3.284–3.287

AN 7.3 Saṅkhittabala sutta - Powers in Brief

The Buddha describes the seven powers in brief, of 1) faith, 2) energy, 3) conscience, 4) fear of wrongdoing, 5) mindfulness, 6) collectedness, and 7) wisdom.

PTS 4.3

AN 7.4 Vitthatabala sutta - Powers in Detail

The Buddha describes the seven powers in detail, of 1) faith, 2) energy, 3) conscience, 4) fear of wrongdoing, 5) mindfulness, 6) collectedness, and 7) wisdom.

PTS 4.3

AN 7.20 Niddasavatthu sutta - Grounds for Inclination

The Buddha describes the seven grounds for wholesome inclinations, of 1) undertaking the training precepts, 2) attending carefully to the Dhamma, 3) removing longing, 4) seclusion, 5) arousing energy, 6) skilled mindfulness, and 7) realization of right view.

PTS 4.15

AN 10.103 Micchatta sutta - Wrongness

Approaching wrongness leads to failure, not success. Approaching rightness leads to success, not failure.

PTS 5.211

UD 1.5 Brāhmaṇa sutta - Brāhmaṇ

The Buddha defines a sage, a Brāhmaṇ not by birth, but as one who has cast off harmful qualities and is always mindful.

PTS 3

UD 3.1 Kammavipākaja sutta - Caused by the Effect of Actions

A bhikkhu endures sharp, severe, and painful bodily feelings caused by the results of past actions, while remaining mindful and clearly aware, untroubled by the experience.

PTS 21–23

UD 4.7 Sāriputta sutta - Sāriputta

Seeing venerable Sāriputta sitting in a meditation posture, content, secluded, disentangled and with energy aroused for cultivation of the mind, the Buddha expresses an inspired utterance.

PTS 43–44

UD 5.10 Cūḷapanthaka sutta - Cūḷapanthaka

When the Buddha sees the venerable Cūḷapanthaka sitting in meditation having setup mindfulness at the fore, he expresses an inspired utterance.

PTS 61

DHP 290–305 Pakiṇṇaka vagga - Chapter 21 - Assorted

Dhammapada verses 290–305 share on the renunciation of lesser happiness for greater joy, mindfulness of the body, and applying effort to overcome defilements. Further, the verses highlight the harm of neglecting what should be done, consequence of imposing suffering on another, while praising recollection of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha as well as the qualities of mindfulness, non-violence, and cultivation. The verses conclude with the benefits of solitude and the wilderness for those who are energetic and self-restrained.

PTS 82–85

DHP 360–382 Bhikkhu vagga - Chapter 25 - Bhikkhu

Dhammapada verses 360–382 depict the ideal bhikkhu as one who restrains the senses, body, speech, and mind, leading to freedom from suffering. Emphasis is placed on mindfulness, inner joy, collectedness, and self-reliance. Through discipline and reflection, the bhikkhu advances towards the peace of Nibbāna, shining like the moon freed from clouds.

PTS 101–106

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