Saɱyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
47. Sati-Paṭṭhāna Saɱyutta
1. Ambapāli Vagga

The Connected Discourses of the Buddha
The Great Book,
47: Connected Discourses on the Establisments of Mindfulness
I. Ambapāli

Sutta 2

Sata Suttaɱ

Mindful

Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi

Copyright Bhikkhu Bodhi 2000, The Connected Discourses of the Buddha (Wisdom Publications, 2000)
This selection from The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Saɱyutta Nikāya by Bhikkhu Bodhi is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
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[1][pts] Thus have I heard.

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling atVesālī in Ambapālī's Grove.

There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus thus:

"Bhikkhus!"

"Venerable sir!" the bhikkhus replied.

The Blessed One said this:

"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, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.

He dwells contemplating 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, a bhikkhu is one who acts with clear comprehension when going forward and returning; when looking ahead and looking aside; when drawing in and extending the limbs; when wearing his robes and carrying his outer robe and bowl; when eating, drinking, chewing his food, and tasting; when defecating and urinating; when walking, standing, sitting, falling asleep, waking up, speaking, and keeping silent.

It is in such a way that a bhikkhu exercises clear comprehension.

"Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu should dwell mindful and clearly comprehending.

This is our instruction to you."