Mindfulness in Theravāda Samatha and Vipassanā Meditations, and in Secular Mindfulness

Abstract

This chapter explores the nature of sati/mindfulness and analyzes its different aspects: an equanimous “bare attention” supported by wise and probing attention, protective awareness, clear recollection that calls up helpful qualities, and contemplative recollections. The roles of mindfulness in calm (samatha) and insight (vipassanā) meditations are explored, emphasizing that it is equally important in both of these, though used in different ways. Both are ways of practicing the satipaṭṭhānas, or “applications of mindfulness,” though in samatha, mindfulness works with strong concentration (samādhi) to develop lucid trances (jhāna) that in turn can be a good basis for vipassanā. The nature of “secular” mindfulness is analyzed and compared to the fuller forms of it in the kinds of Buddhism explored in this chapter. The chapter ends with a discussion of how mindfulness is seen in Theravāda and Sarvāstivāda Abhidhamma, as this raises issues of its natural complements, and whether or not it is a quality unique to certain states of mind.

Abbreviations

AKB.:

Abhidharma-kośa-bhāṣya, (tr. L.M.Pruden, from L. de La Valleé Poussin’s French translation), Abhidharmakośabhāṣyam, 4 volumes, Berkeley, Asian Humanities Press, 1991)

AN.:

Aṅguttara Nikāya

Dhp.:

Dhammapada

Dhs.:

Dhammasaṅgaṇī

DN.:

Dīgha Nikāya

Miln.:

Milindapañha

MN.:

Majjhima Nikāya

Patis.:

Paṭisambhidāmagga

Skt:

Sanskrit

SN.:

Saṃyutta Nikāya

Sn.:

Sutta-nipāta

Vism.:

Visuddhimagga