What is Satipaṭṭhāna?

Satipaṭṭhāna (Four Foundations of Mindfulness) is the Buddha's primary framework for mindfulness meditation. It involves establishing mindfulness on four objects: the body (kāya), feelings (vedanā), mind (citta), and mental objects (dhamma). The Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta calls it 'the direct path to Nibbāna'.

Where is Satipaṭṭhāna taught in the Pali Canon?

The Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta is in the Dīgha Nikāya, Mahāvagga, Vol. 10. A shorter version (Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta) is in the Majjhima Nikāya, Vol. 12.

What is vipassanā (insight meditation)?

Vipassanā (insight meditation) is developed through Satipaṭṭhāna practice. By mindfully observing the four foundations, one directly perceives the three characteristics — impermanence (anicca), unsatisfactoriness (dukkha), and non-self (anattā) — leading to liberation.

Dīgha Nikāya · Vol. 10 · Pali Canon

🧘 Satipaṭṭhāna

สติปัฏฐาน ๔ · Four Foundations of Mindfulness

The Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta calls this teaching "the direct path for the purification of beings... for the attainment of Nibbāna." Mindfulness established on 4 bases — body, feelings, mind, mental objects.

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Contemplation of the Body

Kāyānupassanā

· Ānāpānasati — mindfulness of breathing
· Iriāyapatha — awareness of postures
· Sampajañña — clear comprehension in all activities
· Paṭikūlamanasikāra — reflection on the 32 body parts
· Dhātumanasikāra — analysis of the 4 elements
· Navasīvathika — 9 charnel-ground contemplations

Contemplation of Feelings

Vedanānupassanā

· Pleasant feelings (sukha vedanā)
· Painful feelings (dukkha vedanā)
· Neutral feelings (adukkhamasukha vedanā)
· Worldly vs. unworldly forms of each

Contemplation of the Mind

Cittānupassanā

· Mind with/without lust, hatred, delusion
· Mind that is contracted, distracted
· Mind that is developed / surpassed
· Mind that is concentrated / liberated

Contemplation of Mental Objects

Dhammānupassanā

· 5 Hindrances (nīvaraṇa)
· 5 Aggregates (khandha)
· 12 Sense bases (āyatana)
· 7 Factors of Awakening (bojjhaṅga)
· 4 Noble Truths (ariyasacca)

How Satipaṭṭhāna Leads to Liberation

Establishing continuous mindfulness on any of the four bases allows the meditator to directly observe the three characteristics (anicca, dukkha, anattā) in lived experience — not as abstract doctrine but as immediate perception.

This direct observation generates dispassion (nibbidā) toward conditioned phenomena, leading progressively to liberation (vimutti) and Nibbāna.

The Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta states: those who practice for 7 years, 7 months, or even 7 days can expect one of two fruits — full knowledge (arahantship) or non-returning (anāgāmī).

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