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

SN 47.35 Sati sutta - Mindfulness

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthi.

“Sato, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vihareyya sampajāno. Ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanī.

“Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu should dwell with |mindful::having active presence of mind and lucid retention; remaining naturally anchored and attentive without losing one’s bearings [sata]| and with |clear awareness::attentiveness, clear and full comprehension [sampajañña]|.[1] This is our instruction to you.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sato hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ;

And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu mindful? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells observing the body in and of itself, with continuous effort, clearly aware and with excellent recollection, having removed |craving and distress::greediness and dissatisfaction, wanting and unhappiness, craving and aversion [abhijjhā + domanassa]| with regard to the world;

vedanāsu vedanānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ;

he dwells observing the |felt experience::pleasant, neutral, or painful sensation, feeling felt on contact through eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind; second of the five aggregates [vedanā]| in and of itself, with continuous effort, clearly aware and with excellent recollection, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world;

citte cittānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ;

he dwells observing the |mind::mindset, disposition; the affective state of awareness experiencing the present moment [citta]| in and of itself, with continuous effort, clearly aware and with excellent recollection, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world;

dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.

he dwells observing the |mental qualities::characteristics, traits, and tendencies of the mind, shaped by repeated actions and sustained attention, guided by particular ways of understanding; they may be wholesome or unwholesome, bright or dark [dhammā]| in and of themselves, with continuous effort, clearly aware and with excellent recollection, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sato hoti.

It is in this manner, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu is mindful.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sampajāno hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno viditā vedanā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti. Viditā vitakkā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti. Viditā saññā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sampajāno hoti.

And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu clearly aware? Here, bhikkhus, felt experiences arise known to a bhikkhu, remain present known, and pass away known. |Thoughts::reflection [vitakkā]| arise known, remain present known, and pass away known. Perceptions arise known, remain present known, and pass away known. It is in this manner, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu is clearly aware.

Sato, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vihareyya sampajāno. Ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanī”ti.

Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu should thus dwell with mindfulness and with clear awareness. This is our instruction to you.”

[1] A dwelling of mindfulness and clear awareness, when cultivated and frequently practiced, leads to radical comprehension. Read in AN 4.41 Samādhibhāvanā sutta - Developments of Collectedness.

Qualities:

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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Last updated on July 12, 2026