1. Kāyānupassanā:
The Observation of Body

1.2. Iriyāpatha Pabbaṁ: Section on Postures

Puna ca paraṁ bhikkhave bhikkhu/ gacchanto vā gacchāmīti pajānāti./ Ṭhito vā ṭhitomhīti pajānāti./ Nisinno vā nisinnomhīti pajānāti./ Sayāno vā sayānomhī ti pajānāti./ Yathā yathā vā panasasa kāyo paṇihito hoti./ Tathā tathā naṁ pajānāti./

“Again, monks, when walking, a monk understands: • ‘I am walking.’ When standing, he understands: • ‘I am standing.’ When sitting, he understands: ‘I am sitting.’ When lying down, he understands: • ‘I am lying down.’ And he understands accordingly however his body is placed.

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 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 ñāṇa mattāya, patissati mattāya,/ 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.



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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