Radical Comprehension View in explorer

10 discourses
The sustained, clear tracking of the lifecycle of phenomena—their arising, persisting, and fading away. Nourished by radical attention, this discerning mindfulness observes the structural mechanics of how an experience unfolds, ensuring the mind remains lucidly aware of the process rather than getting blindly absorbed in the content of the experience.
Also known as: discerning mindfulness, sati-sampajañña, structural comprehension, mindfulness and clear comprehension
Pāli: satisampajañña
Supported by
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
Sense restraint

Sense restraint

A practice of guarding the sense doors by not grasping at the general features or details of sense objects when seeing, hearing, sensing, and cognizing.

Also known as: guarding the sense faculties, watching the sense doors, not grasping at the prominent features or details of sense objects, moderation in eating
Pāli: indriya saṁvara
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Collectedness

Collectedness

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated.

Also known as: mental composure, stability of mind, stillness of mind, concentration, undistracted awareness
Pāli: samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Related
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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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

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
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Opposite
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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Featured Discourses

AN 10.61 Avijjā sutta - IgnoranceRadical attention leads to radical comprehension

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.

SN 47.8 Sūda sutta - Cookcook simile; grasp mind's theme

The Buddha compares a meditator to a royal cook. Just as a foolish cook ignores a king’s preferences and goes unrewarded, an unskillful meditator fails to grasp their mind’s theme and does not gain the benefits of meditation.

MN 107 Gaṇakamoggallāna sutta - With Gaṇakamoggallānagradual training guideline for radical comprehension

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.

AN 10.51 Sacitta sutta - One’s Own Mindclothes-on-fire urgency; mirror simile

The Buddha uses the simile of checking one’s reflection in a mirror to explain how to comprehend one’s own mind. He details how to constantly review mental states and apply urgent effort to abandon harmful qualities while developing wholesome ones.

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.

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

SN 22.122 Sīlavanta sutta - Virtuousarahant practice; pleasant abiding

Which things should a virtuous bhikkhu radically attend to? Venerable Sāriputta explains how a bhikkhu at each stage of awakening should radically attend to the five aggregates that are subject to clinging.

SN 56.34 Cela sutta - Clothesfour truths breakthrough urgency

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.

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.

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Short teachings on the benefits of cultivating mindfulness of the body.

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Radical Comprehension

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