Sati (Buddhism)
In 1881, Thomas William Rhys Davids first translated the Pali term sati into English as mindfulness. This translation appeared in his work Buddhist Suttas published by Clarendon Press on page 107. Earlier attempts at translation included Daniel John Gogerly's rendering of sammā-sati as Correct meditation in 1845. Henry Alabaster defined Satipatthan/Smrityupasthana as The act of keeping one's self mindful in his 1871 book The Wheel of the Law. The word mindfulness itself existed before its use in Western Buddhism contexts. It was first recorded as mindfulness in 1530 when John Palsgrave translated French pensee. Morphologically earlier terms include mindful which appeared in 1340 and mindfully in 1382. The Sanskrit counterpart smriti literally means that which is remembered. Monier Monier-Williams's dictionary lists eight distinct meanings for this Sanskrit term including remembrance, reminiscence, and memory. In Tibetan traditions scholars translate smriti as trenpa or dran pa. Chinese translators rendered smriti with the character nian meaning study read aloud think of remember remind. Bernhard Karlgren explained this character graphically as reflect think to study learn by heart remember recite to have present to the mind.
Robert Sharf notes that the meaning of sati and smriti has been the topic of extensive debate among academics. Daniel John Gogerly initially rendered sammā-sati as Correct meditation while Thomas William Rhys Davids chose mindfulness. John D. Dunne an associate professor at University of Madison-Wisconsin asserts that translating these terms as mindfulness is confusing. He suggests establishing retention as a preferred alternative translation. Bhikkhu Bodhi points out that sati is not only memory but also involves remembering teachings of scriptures. Rupert Gethin observes that contemporary Vipassana movement interprets Satipatthana Sutta as describing pure form of insight meditation where samatha and jhana are unnecessary. Georges Dreyfus expresses unease with defining mindfulness as bare attention or nonelaborative nonjudgmental present-centered awareness. He stresses that Buddhist context means also remembering which indicates function includes retention of information. Robert H. Sharf notes Buddhist practice aims at attainment of correct view not just bare attention. Jay L. Garfield demonstrates direct connection between mindfulness practice and cultivation of morality within Buddhism from which modern interpretations stem. Nyanaponika Thera famously translated sati as bare attention yet this lacks comprehensive active meaning found in samprajaña clear comprehension and apramada vigilance.
Originally mindfulness provided way to liberation by paying attention to sensory experience preventing arising of disturbing thoughts emotions causing further chain reactions leading to rebirth. In later tradition especially Theravada mindfulness serves as antidote to delusion Moha considered one of powers bala contributing to attainment of nirvana. The Satipațțhāna-sutta describes maintaining calm awareness of four upassanā body feelings mind dharmas. Grzegorz Polak argues these four do not refer to different foundations but to awareness of four aspects raising mindfulness including six sense-bases contemplation on vedanas altered states mind development from five hindrances seven factors enlightenment. According to Paul Williams referring to Erich Frauwallner mindfulness provides constant watching sensory experience preventing arising cravings powering future experience into rebirths. Buddhadasa argued mindfulness prevents arising disturbing thought emotions causing further chain reactions leading to rebirth ego selfish thought behavior. Vetter suggests dhyana may have been original core practice Buddha aiding maintenance mindfulness. Vipassana-meditation gained popularity west through modern Buddhist vipassana movement modeled after Theravada Buddhism meditation practices employing vipassana anapanasati primary techniques emphasizing teachings Sutta. Gombrich and Brooks argue distinction between vipassana samatha as two separate paths originates earliest interpretations Sutta Pitaka not suttas themselves. Wynne notes Buddha combined meditative stabilisation mindful awareness insight nature this meditative experience.
Mindfulness practice inherited from Buddhist tradition employed psychology alleviate variety mental physical conditions including obsessive-compulsive disorder anxiety prevention relapse depression drug addiction. Georges Dreyfus expresses concern that defining mindfulness as bare attention ignores retention function crucial within Buddhist context. Robert H. Sharf emphasizes Buddhist practice aims attainment correct view rather mere bare attention. Jay L. Garfield demonstrates direct connection mindfulness cultivation morality at least context Buddhism modern interpretations stem. Contemporary Vipassana movement interprets Satipatthana Sutta describing pure form insight meditation where samatha jhana unnecessary according to Rupert Gethin. Various traditions disagree which techniques belong which pole contemporary Theravada orthodoxy uses samatha preparation vipassana pacifying mind strengthening concentration allowing work insight leading liberation. Anapanasati meaning mindfulness breathing now common Tibetan Zen Tiantai Theravada schools western-based mindfulness programs. Nan Huaijin states Ekottara Agama emphasizes mindfulness breathing more than other methods providing most specific teachings one form mindfulness. In Theravadin context entails insight three marks existence namely impermanence unsatisfactoriness every conditioned thing exists non-self. Mahayana contexts entail insight variously described sunyata dharmata inseparability appearance emptiness two truths doctrine clarity emptiness bliss emptiness.
In early tradition mindfulness provided way liberation paying attention sensory experience preventing arising disturbing thoughts emotions causing further chain reactions leading rebirth. Buddhadasa argued mindfulness provides means prevent arising disturbing thought emotions cause further chain reactions leading rebirth ego selfish thought behavior. Robert H. Sharf notes Buddhist practice aimed attainment correct view not just bare attention. Jay L. Garfield demonstrates direct connection between mindfulness cultivation morality at least context Buddhism modern interpretations stem. The Milindapanha explains arising sati calls mind wholesome dhammas four establishments mindfulness five faculties five powers seven awakening-factors Noble Eightfold Path attainment insight. Even so your Majesty when sati arises calls mind dhammas skillful unskillful faults faultless inferior refined dark pure together counterparts these four establishings mindfulness four right endeavors four bases success five faculties five powers seven awakening-factors noble eight-factored path calm insight knowledge freedom. Thus one practices yoga resorts dhammas should resorted does not resort dhammas should not embraced dhammas should embrace does not embrace dhammas should not embrace. Nirvana state being greed hatred delusion moha overcome abandoned absent from mind. Sati first factor Seven Factors Enlightenment Correct or Right mindfulness seventh element Noble Eightfold Path.
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Common questions
When was the Pali term sati first translated into English as mindfulness?
Thomas William Rhys Davids first translated the Pali term sati into English as mindfulness in 1881. This translation appeared on page 107 of his work Buddhist Suttas published by Clarendon Press.
What does the Sanskrit counterpart smriti mean according to Monier Monier-Williams dictionary?
The Sanskrit term smriti literally means that which is remembered. Monier Monier-Williams's dictionary lists eight distinct meanings for this term including remembrance, reminiscence, and memory.
Who argued that translating sati as mindfulness is confusing and suggested retention instead?
John D. Dunne an associate professor at University of Madison-Wisconsin asserts that translating these terms as mindfulness is confusing. He suggests establishing retention as a preferred alternative translation.
How did early tradition describe the function of mindfulness regarding rebirth?
Originally mindfulness provided way to liberation by paying attention to sensory experience preventing arising of disturbing thoughts emotions causing further chain reactions leading to rebirth. Paul Williams refers to Erich Frauwallner stating mindfulness provides constant watching sensory experience preventing arising cravings powering future experience into rebirths.
Which modern movement interprets Satipatthana Sutta as describing pure form insight meditation where samatha and jhana are unnecessary?
Rupert Gethin observes that contemporary Vipassana movement interprets Satipatthana Sutta as describing pure form of insight meditation where samatha and jhana are unnecessary. This interpretation contrasts with views from Georges Dreyfus who stresses Buddhist context includes remembering indicating function includes retention of information.