The document analyzes primary source texts on satipatthana (mindfulness) meditation. It finds that the Satipatthana Sutta differs significantly from other early texts in its description of contemplation topics. Sections appear to have been copied from other suttas. This suggests the sutta was modified later and contains a sectarian emphasis on pure vipassana practice over tranquility.

1. Ajahn Sujāto’s
Five
Nikāyas
Scrutiny of Four
Āgamas
Satipaṭṭhāna
Pre-Buddhist Other Buddhist
Sources Materials Sources
Vibhaṅga Dharmaskandha Śāriputrābhidharma
Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta Smṛtyupasthāna Sūtra
Ekāyana Sūtra Prajñāpāramita Sūtra

2. Based on
● Concordance of the 7 main texts
● Internal coherence of material
● Intertextual relationship with the rest of
the scriptures
● Cultural & philosophical contexts at the
Buddha’s time
● Evolution of sectarian positions
2

3. Suggests
That the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (MN 10)
● is not an authentic discourse of the Buddha,
● but a padded up discourse,
● with passages “copied and pasted” from
other discourses,
● showing a sectarian bias towards pure
vipassanā practice.
3

4. Details
A History of
Mindfulness
How insight worsted tranquility in
the Satipatthana Sutta
By Bhikkhu Sujato
4

5. Comparing contents of
Satipaṭṭhāna
in the 7 major texts
Vibhaṅga Dharmaskandha Śāriputrābhidharma
Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta Smṛtyupasthāna Sūtra
Ekāyana Sūtra Prajñāpāramita Sūtra 5

6. Intro to Texts & Schools
Text School
Vi Vibhaṅga Pāli Tradition
Dh Dharmaskandha Sarvāstivāda
Śā Śāriputrābhidharma Dharmaguptaka
PS Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta Pāli Tradition
SS Smṛtyupasthāna Sūtra Sarvāstivāda
Ek Ekāyana Sūtra Mahāsaṅghika
Pr Prajñāpāramita Sūtra Mahāsaṅghika
6

7. 1a. Contemplation of Body
Vi Dh Śā PS SS Ek Pr
4 postures 1 2 1 1
Clear knowing 2 3 2 2
Cut off thoughts 3
Suppress thoughts 4
Breathing 3 1 5 3
4 jhāna similies
Perception of light
7

8. 1b. Contemplation of Body
Vi Dh Śā PS SS Ek Pr
Basis of reviewing 6
Parts of body 1 1 4 4 7 1 4
Elements 2 6 4
5 5 4
8 6
2 4
5 4
Food 6
Space 7
Oozing orifices 8 3
Charnel ground 9 6 9 4
8

9. 2. Contemplation of Feelings
Vi Dh Śā PS SS Ek Pr
Pleasant/painful/ 1 1 1 1 1 1
neutral
Bodily/mental 2 2
Carnal/spiritual 2 3 2 2 3
Sensual/not 4 4
No mixed feeling 2
9

10. 3a. Contemplation of Mind
Vi Dh Śā PS SS Ek Pr
With/w/o lust 1 1 1 1 1 1
With/w/o anger 2 2 2 2 2 2
With/w/o delusion 3 3 3 3 3 3
Defiled/undefiled 4
With/w/o affection 4
With/w/o attainment 5
With/w/o confusion 6
10

11. 3b. Contemplation of Mind
Vi Dh Śā PS SS Ek Pr
Contracted/scattered 4 4 4 4 4 4
Slothful/energetic 5
Universal/not 5
Exalted/unexalted 5 5 5 6
Small/great 6 5
Surpassed/not 6 6 7
Lower/higher 6
11

12. 3c. Contemplation of Mind
Vi Dh Śā PS SS Ek Pr
Developed/not 10 7
Distracted /not 7
Quiet/not 8
Composed/not 6 9 7 7 8 8
Released/not 7 11 8 8 9 9
12

13. 4. Contemplation of Dhammas
Vi Dh Śā PS SS Ek Pr
5 Hindrances 1 1 1 1 1 1
5 Aggregates 2
6 Sense bases 2 2 3 2
7 Awakening 2 3 3 4 3 2
factors
4 Jhānas 3
4 Noble truths 4 5
13

14. 5. Refrain
Vi Dh Śā PS SS Ek Pr
Internal/external 1 1 1 1 1 1* 1
Tribulations 2 2
Arising/vanishing 3 2 2
Knowledge 4 3 2 3
Independance 5 4 4 2
Arahantship 5
14

15. Tribulations
At the end of each anupassanā
Observes and contemplates all their many tribu-
lations, namely: this body (etc.) is like a sickness,
like a boil, like a dart, troublesome, impermanent,
suffering, empty, not-self, changing, wearisome,
a great entanglement. It is of a nature to be lost
and to decay, rapidly and incessantly becoming
weak, not enduring. It cannot be relied on or
trusted. It is of a nature to change and decay.
Trans. Bhikkhu Sujato 15

16. Structure of Satipaṭṭhāna Mūla
Based on Bhikkhu Sujāto’s “A History of Mindfulness”
abstract proclamation
definition
16

17. Definition in Mūla
Repeated contemplation of...
● body as body ● feelings as feelings
● mind as mind ● dhammas as dhammas
● internally, externally, both internally
& externally while
● being ardent ● having subdued
● clearly knowing longing & dejection
● being mindful in (regard to) the world
17

18. Structure of Satipaṭṭhāna Mūla
Based on Bhikkhu Sujāto’s “A History of Mindfulness”
abstract proclamation
definition
body
● 31 body parts
refrain
18

19. Refrain in Mūla
● Is mindful for the sake of
knowledge & vision that
there is/are a body,
feelings, mind, dhammas
● Is independent, & does
not cling to anything in
the world.
19

20. Structure of Satipaṭṭhāna Mūla
Based on Bhikkhu Sujāto’s “A History of Mindfulness”
abstract proclamation conclusion
definition prediction
body
●31 body parts dhammas
refrain 7 awakening factors
●
feelings refrain 5 hindrances
●
mind
20