sn.47.35 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Mindful

At Savatthi. “Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu should dwell mindful and clearly comprehending. This is our instruction to you.

“And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu mindful? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body … feelings in feelings … mind in mind … phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu is mindful.

“And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu exercise clear comprehension? Here, bhikkhus, for a bhikkhu feelings are understood as they arise, understood as they remain present, understood as they pass away. Thoughts are understood as they arise, understood as they remain present, understood as they pass away. Perceptions are understood as they arise, understood as they remain present, understood as they pass away. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu exercises clear comprehension.

“Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu should dwell mindful and clearly comprehending. This is our instruction to you.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Mindful

At Sāvatthī.
“Mendicants, a mendicant should live mindful and aware.
This is my instruction to you.
And how is a mendicant mindful?
It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.
They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …
mind …
principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.
That’s how a mendicant is mindful.
And how is a mendicant aware?
It’s when a mendicant knows feelings as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away.
They know thoughts as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away.
They know perceptions as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away.
That’s how a mendicant is aware.
A mendicant should live mindful and aware.
This is my instruction to you.”