Buddha Abhidhamma - Ultimate Science - BuddhaNet

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Sri Lanka commentary defines ‘satipaññhàna’ as the mindfulness
which is established on its object by penetration, so to
speak, into it.
The four ‘foundations of mindfulness’ are indispensable
for the development of tranquility and insight. In the two
satipaññhàna-suttas, the following weighty words are proclaimed
both at the beginning and at the conclusion:
“The only way that leads to the attainment of purity, to the
overcoming of sorrow and lamentation, to the end of pain and grief,
to the entering of the right path, and to the realization of Nibbàna is
the way comprising the four foundations of mindfulness.”
1 Kàyànupassanà-satipaññhàna
Contemplation of the body or mindfulness of the
corporeality group (råpakkhandha).
2 Vedanànupassanà-satipaññhàna
Contemplation of the feelings or mindfulness of the
feeling group (vedanàkkhandha).
3 Cittànupassanà-satipaññhàna
Contemplation of consciousness or mindfulness of the
consciousness group (vi¤¤àõakkhandha).
4 Dhammànupassanà-satipaññhàna
Contemplation of dhamma or mindfulness of the
perception group (sa¤¤akkhandha) and the group of
mental formations (saïkhàrakkhandha).
Notes:
1 The essential element of the four satipaññhànas is saticetasika
present in 8 mahà-kusala cittas, 8 mahà-kiriya cittas
and 26 appanà-javanas as well as the sati present in 8
lokuttara cittas.