Page 1 of 1

Abhidhamma View : Requisites of Enlightenment

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 12:01 pm
by yawares
Dear Members,

:candle: Abhidhamma View : Requisites of Enlightenment :candle:
[Presented by Dr.Tep Sastri @ SariputtaDhamma/JTN/Mult]


CMA VII, p. 278-279: Four Foundations of Mindfulness

In the compendium of requisites of enlightenment, there are four foundations of mindfulness: 1. the foundation of mindfulness in contemplation of the body; 2. the foundation of mindfulness in contemplation of feelings; 3. the foundation of mindfulness in contemplation of consciousness; 4. the foundation of mindfulness in contemplation of mental objects.


The Pali expression bodjipakkhiyadhammaa means literally "states on the side of enlightenment." Although the expression appears rarely in the Suttas, in later literature it comes to be used as a general term for the thirty-seven factors into which the Buddha compressed the practice of his teaching (see D. 16/ii,120, M.77/ii,11-12). These factors are called the requisites of enlightenment because they conduce to the attainment of enlightenment, which is the knowledge of the four supramundane paths. The thirty-seven requisites fall into seven groups.

The word pa.t.thaana (in Satipa.t.thaana) is taken to have the dual meanings of "setting up" (or "application" = upa.t.thaana) and "foundations" that is , of sati or mindfulness. The four foundations of mindfulness form a complete system of meditative practice for the development of mindfulness and insight. The method is expounded at length in two suttas, D.22 and M.10, and in a collection of short suttas, the Satipa.t.thaana Sa.myutta (S.47).

The four foundations of mindfulness have a single essence, which consists of mindful contemplation of phenomena. They are differentiated insofar as mindful contemplation is to be applied to four objects --the body, feelings, states of consciousness, and mental objects. The latter comprises such factors as the five hindrances, the five aggregates, the six sense bases, the seven enlightenment factors, and the Four Noble Truths.

The practice of the our foundations of mindfulness is identical with right mindfulness as the seven factor of the Noble Eightfold Path.

************
:heart: Love Buddha's dhamma,
yawares/sirikanya :heart: