1. Kāyānupassanā:
The Observation of Body

1.5 Dhātumanasikāra Pabbaṁ: Reflections on the Elements

Puna ca paraṁ bhikkhave, bhikkhu / imameva kāyaṁ yathā ṭhitaṁ yathā paṇihitaṁ,/ dhātuso paccavekkhati:/ atthi imasmiṁ kāye / paṭhavī dhātu, āpo dhātu, tejodhātu, vāyo dhātū ti./

“Again, monks, a monk reflects upon this body, • however it is placed, however positioned, • as consisting of elements thus: • ‘In this body there are the earth element, the water element, • the fire element, and the air element.’

Seyyathāpi bhikkhave dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā / gāviṁ vadhitvā cātummahāpathe khīlaso pativibhajitvā nisinno assa./

“Just as though a skilled butcher or his apprentice had killed a cow, • and was seated at the crossroads with it cut into pieces;

Evameva kho bhikkhave bhikkhu / imameva kāyaṁ yathā ṭhitaṁ yathā paṇihitaṁ / dhātuso paccavekkhati:/ atthi imasmiṁ kāye paṭhavī dhātu,/ āpo dhātu, tejo dhātu, vāyo dhātū ti./

So too, monks, a monk reflects upon this very body, • however it is placed, however positioned, • as consisting of elements thus: • ‘In this body there are the earth element, the water element, • the fire element, and the air element.’

Iti ajjhattaṁ vā kāye kāyānupassī viharati./ Bahiddhā vā kāye kāyānupassī viharati./ Ajjhatta bahiddhā vā kāye kāyānupassī viharati./

“In this way he dwells contemplating his own body, • he dwells contemplating on others’ bodies, • and he dwells contemplating both his and others’ bodies.

Samudaya dhammānupassī vā kāyasmiṁ viharati./ Vaya dhammānupassī vā kāyasmiṁ viharati./ Samudaya vaya dhammānupassī vā kāyasmiṁ viharati./

“He dwells contemplating the arising of the body, • he dwells contemplating the passing away of the body, • and he dwells contemplating the arising and passing away of the body.

Atthi kāyo’ti vā panassa sati paccupaṭṭhitā hoti./ Yāvadeva ñāṇamattāya, patissatimattāya,/ anissito ca viharati./ Na ca kiñci loke upādiyati./

“Mindfulness, that there is a body • is simply established in him • to the extent necessary for higher knowledge and mindfulness. He dwells independent, and not clinging to anything in the world.

Evampi kho bhikkhave bhikkhu / kāye kāyānupassī viharati./

That is how monks, a monk dwells contemplating the body in body.

• Uddeso: Introduction
• 1. Kāyānupassanā: The Observation of Body
• 1.1 Ānāpāna Pabbaṁ: Section on Breathing
• 1.2. Iriyāpatha Pabbaṁ: Section on Postures
• 1.3 Sampajañña Pabbaṁ: Section on Clear Comprehension
• 1.4 Paṭikūlamanasikāra Pabbaṁ: Section on Repulsiveness
• 1.5 Dhātumanasikāra Pabbaṁ: Reflections on the Elements
• 1.6 Navasīvathika Pabbaṁ: Nine Charnel-Ground Contemplations
• 2. Vedanānupassanā: Contemplation of Feeling
• 3. Cittānupassanā: Contemplation of Mind
• 4. Dhammānupassanā: Contemplation of Phenomena
• 4.1 Nīvaraṇa Pabbaṁ: Section on the Hindrances
• 4.2 Khandha Pabbaṁ: Section on the Aggregates
• 4.3 Āyatana Pabbaṁ: Section on the Sense Bases
• 4.4 Bojjhanga Pabbaṁ: Section on the Factors of Enlightenment
• 4.5 Sacca Pabbaṁ: Section on the Four Noble Truths
• Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvanānisaṁso: The Results of the Establishing of Mindfulness

The complete translation of the Maha Satipatthana Sutta can be found in in this book. The special feature of this book is that the many beautiful repetitions that help us understand each section have been carefully included so it is the perfect text for chanting. As well, the Pali and English has been marked with pauses so groups can easily chant in harmony.

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