Satipatthana Sutta Study

Body: Activities

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[ACTIVITIES or CLEARLY KNOWING/CLEAR COMPREHENSION]

Again, monks,
when going forward and returning
s/he acts clearly knowing;
when looking ahead and looking away
s/he acts clearly knowing;
when flexing and extending his/her limbs
s/he acts clearly knowing;
when wearing his robes and carrying his/her outer robe and bowl
s/he acts clearly knowing;
when eating, drinking, consuming food, and tasting
s/he acts clearly knowing;
when defecating and urinating
s/he acts clearly knowing;
when walking, standing, sitting, falling asleep, waking up, talking, and keeping silent
s/he acts clearly knowing.


[REFRAIN]

In this way,
in regard to the body s/he abides contemplating the body internally,
or s/he abides contemplating the body externally,
or s/he abides contemplating the body both internally and externally.

S/He abides contemplating the nature of arising in the body,
or s/he abides contemplating the nature of passing away in the body,
or s/he abides contemplating the nature of both arising and passing away in the body.

Mindfulness that 'there is a body'
is established in him/her
to the extent necessary for
bare knowledge
and continuous mindfulness.

And s/he abides independent,
not clinging to anything in the world.
That too is how in regard to the body s/he abides contemplating the body.

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Satipatthana Sutta Study - © 2005 Mary Rees
Sutta text modified from translation by Analayo. Please see his original translation and excellent commentary: Satipatthana : The Direct Path to Realization. Birmingham, UK: Windhorse Publications, 2003.