"Satipatthana - Meditation course, Independent Study. Body

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Satipatthana Sutta Study
Summary of Sutta
Introduction
Body
Mind or Mind States
Dhammas or Phenomena
Conclusion

Satipatthana Sutta Study

Body and Death and Decay

Dharma Contemplation

Sit silently before doing your Satipatthana practice.
Settle into the body, just breathe for a while, easing into the moment

Read the passage slowly and mindfully, letting the words seep into your mind and body as you start your sitting.

Then read again, listening to this audio file as you read. - death.mp3
(In this recording the masculine pronoun is used. Some passages are recorded with feminine pronouns. The original text was masculine only)

[CORPSE IN DECAY]

Again, monks,

as though s/he were to see a corpse thrown aside in a charnel ground – one, two, or three days dead, bloated, livid, and oozing matter s/he compares this same body with it thus: 'this body too is of the same nature, it will be like that, it is not exempt from that fate.'

as though s/he were to see a corpse thrown aside in a charnel ground being devoured by crows, hawks, vultures, dogs, jackals, or various kinds of worms s/he compares this same body with it thus: 'this body too is of the same nature, it will be like that, it is not exempt from that fate.'

[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.

as though s/he were to see a corpse thrown aside in a charnel ground a skeleton with flesh and blood, held together with sinews s/he compares this same body with it thus: 'this body too is of the same nature, it will be like that, it is not exempt from that fate.'

as though s/he were to see a corpse thrown aside in a charnel ground a fleshless skeleton smeared with blood, held together with sinews s/he compares this same body with it thus: 'this body too is of the same nature, it will be like that, it is not exempt from that fate.'

as though s/he were to see a corpse thrown aside in a charnel ground a skeleton without flesh and blood, held together with sinews s/he compares this same body with it thus: 'this body too is of the same nature, it will be like that, it is not exempt from that fate.'

[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.

as though s/he were to see a corpse thrown aside in a charnel ground disconnected bones scattered in all directions s/he compares this same body with it thus: 'this body too is of the same nature, it will be like that, it is not exempt from that fate.'

as though s/he were to see a corpse thrown aside in a charnel ground bones bleached white, the colour of shells s/he compares this same body with it thus: 'this body too is of the same nature, it will be like that, it is not exempt from that fate.'

as though s/he were to see a corpse thrown aside in a charnel ground bones heaped up, more than a year old s/he compares this same body with it thus: 'this body too is of the same nature, it will be like that, it is not exempt from that fate.'

as though s/he were to see a corpse thrown aside in a charnel ground bones rotten and crumbling to dust s/he compares this same body with it thus: 'this body too is of the same nature, it will be like that, it is not exempt from that fate.'

[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.

During the day stay with the words that resonate for you.

Satipatthana Sutta Study - © 2005 Mary Rees
Sutta text modified from translation by Analayo*
Dharma Contemplation inspired by Greg Kramer Contemplative Practice and Lectio Divino

*Modifications of translation in small segments with permission by Analayo for practice purposes. Please see his original translation and excellent commentary: Satipatthana : The Direct Path to Realization. Birmingham, UK: Windhorse Publications, 2003.