Difference between revisions of "Sampajañña"
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− | Sampajañña (Pāli; Skt.: samprajanya) means "clear comprehension," "clear knowing," "constant thorough understanding of impermanence," "fully alert" or "full awareness," as well as "attention, consideration, discrimination, comprehension, circumspection." | + | '''[[Sampajañña]]''' ([[Pāli]]; Skt.: [[samprajanya]]) means "[[clear comprehension]]," "clear [[knowing]]," "[[constant]] thorough [[understanding]] of [[impermanence]]," "fully alert" or "full [[awareness]]," as well as "[[attention]], [[consideration]], {{Wiki|discrimination}}, [[comprehension]], circumspection." |
+ | [[File:Munk66814 n.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
+ | [[Sampajañña]] is a [[Pali]] term used in [[Theravada suttas]]; the {{Wiki|equivalent}} [[Sanskrit]] term [[samprajaña]] is found in [[Sanskrit]] texts employed (in translation) by a variety of [[meditation]] [[teacher]]s such as [[Zen]] [[master]] {{Wiki|Thich Nhat Hanh}} and in the [[Tibetan tradition]]. | ||
− | + | == From the [[Pali Canon]] == | |
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+ | [[Clear comprehension]] is most famously invoked by the [[Buddha]] in tandem with [[mindfulness]] practice in the [[Satipatthana Sutta]]: | ||
− | Clear comprehension is | + | : Herein (in this [[teaching]]) a [[monk]] [[lives]] contemplating the [[body]] in the [[body]], ardent, clearly comprehending and [[mindful]], having overcome, in this [[world]], covetousness and [[grief]]; |
+ | : he [[lives]] contemplating [[feelings]] in [[feelings]], ardent, clearly comprehending and [[mindful]], having overcome, in this [[world]], covetousness and [[grief]]; | ||
+ | : he [[lives]] contemplating [[consciousness]] in [[consciousness]], ardent, clearly comprehending and [[mindful]], having overcome, in this [[world]], covetousness and [[grief]]; | ||
+ | : he [[lives]] contemplating {{Wiki|mental objects}} in {{Wiki|mental objects}}, ardent, clearly comprehending and [[mindful]], having overcome, in this [[world]], covetousness and [[grief]]. | ||
+ | [[File:Nner solitude.JPG|thumb|250px|]] | ||
+ | [[Clear comprehension]] develops out of [[mindfulness]] of {{Wiki|breathing}} ([[ānāpānasati]]) and is subsequently {{Wiki|present}} in tandem with [[mindfulness]] for all four [[satipathanas]]. | ||
− | + | =={{Wiki|Canonical}} commentary== | |
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− | + | While the [[nikayas]] do not elaborate on what the [[Buddha]] meant by [[sampajañña]], the [[Pali commentaries]] analyze it further in terms of four contexts for one's [[comprehension]]: | |
− | + | * {{Wiki|purpose}} ([[Pāli]]: ''[[sātthaka]]''): refraining from [[activities]] irrelevant to the [[Noble Eightfold Path|path]]. | |
− | + | * suitability ([[sappāya]]): pursuing [[activities]] in a dignified and careful manner. | |
− | + | * domain ([[gocara]]): maintaining sensory {{Wiki|restraint}} consistent with [[mindfulness]]. | |
− | + | * non-[[delusion]] (''[[asammoha]]''): [[seeing]] the [[true nature of reality]] (see [[three characteristics]]). | |
− | * purpose (Pāli: ''sātthaka''): refraining from activities irrelevant to the [[Noble Eightfold Path|path]]. | ||
− | * suitability (sappāya): pursuing activities in a dignified and careful manner. | ||
− | * domain (gocara): maintaining sensory restraint consistent with mindfulness. | ||
− | * non-delusion (''asammoha''): seeing the true nature of reality (see [[three characteristics]]). | ||
== Contemporary commentary == | == Contemporary commentary == | ||
− | === Critical to Right Mindfulness' purpose (Nyanaponika) === | + | === Critical to [[Right Mindfulness]]' {{Wiki|purpose}} ({{Wiki|Nyanaponika}}) === |
− | In a correspondence between Bhikkhu Bodhi and B. Alan Wallace, Bodhi described Ven. Nyanaponika Thera's views on "right mindfulness" and sampajañña as follows, | + | In a correspondence between [[Bhikkhu Bodhi]] and B. {{Wiki|Alan Wallace}}, [[Bodhi]] described Ven. {{Wiki|Nyanaponika Thera}}'s [[views]] on "[[right mindfulness]]" and [[sampajañña]] as follows, |
− | : ... I should add that Ven. Nyanaponika himself did not regard “bare | + | : ... I should add that Ven. {{Wiki|Nyanaponika}} himself did not regard “bare [[attention]]” as capturing the complete significance of [[satipaṭṭhāna]], but as representing only one phase, the initial phase, in the [[meditative]] [[development]] of [[right mindfulness]]. He held that in the proper practice of [[right mindfulness]], [[sati]] has to be integrated with [[sampajañña]], [[clear comprehension]], and it is only when these two work together that [[right mindfulness]] can fulfill its intended {{Wiki|purpose}}. |
− | === Use day and night (Nhat Hanh) === | + | === Use day and night ([[Nhat Hanh]]) === |
− | Vietnamese Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh, has written with regards to the aforementioned verse in the Satipatthana Sutra, on the topic of sampajañña, the following, | + | {{Wiki|Vietnamese}} [[Zen]] [[master]], {{Wiki|Thich Nhat Hanh}}, has written with regards to the aforementioned verse in the [[Satipatthana Sutra]], on the topic of [[sampajañña]], the following, |
− | : This exercise is the observation and awareness of the actions of the body. This is the fundamental practice of the monk. When I was first ordained as a novice forty-eight years ago, the first book my master gave me to learn by heart was a book of gathas to be | + | : This exercise is the observation and [[awareness]] of the [[actions]] of the [[body]]. This is the fundamental practice of the [[monk]]. When I was first [[ordained]] as a {{Wiki|novice}} forty-eight years ago, the first [[book]] my [[master]] gave me to learn by [[heart]] was a [[book]] of [[gathas]] to be practiced while washing your hands, brushing your {{Wiki|teeth}}, washing your face, putting on your [[clothes]], sweeping the courtyard, relieving yourself, having a bath, and so on. |
− | : ... If a novice applies himself to the practice of [this] ... exercise, he will see that his everyday actions become harmonious, graceful, and measured. Mindfulness becomes visible in his actions and speech. When any action is placed in the light of mindfulness, the body and mind become relaxed, peaceful, and joyful. [This] ... exercise is one to be used day and night throughout one's entire life. | + | : ... If a [[novice]] applies himself to the practice of [this] ... exercise, he will see that his everyday [[actions]] become harmonious, graceful, and measured. [[Mindfulness]] becomes [[visible]] in his [[actions]] and [[speech]]. When any [[action]] is placed in the {{Wiki|light}} of [[mindfulness]], the [[body]] and [[mind]] become [[relaxed]], [[peaceful]], and [[joyful]]. [This] ... exercise is one to be used day and night throughout one's entire [[life]]. |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
− | * [[Asaṃprajanya]] - non-alertness, non-vigilance, etc. | + | * [[Asaṃprajanya]] - [[non-alertness]], non-vigilance, etc. |
* [[Buddhist meditation]] | * [[Buddhist meditation]] | ||
* [[Mindfulness|Mindfulness]] | * [[Mindfulness|Mindfulness]] | ||
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[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
+ | {{PaliTerminology}} |
Latest revision as of 13:19, 9 November 2015
Sampajañña (Pāli; Skt.: samprajanya) means "clear comprehension," "clear knowing," "constant thorough understanding of impermanence," "fully alert" or "full awareness," as well as "attention, consideration, discrimination, comprehension, circumspection."
Sampajañña is a Pali term used in Theravada suttas; the equivalent Sanskrit term samprajaña is found in Sanskrit texts employed (in translation) by a variety of meditation teachers such as Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh and in the Tibetan tradition.
From the Pali Canon
Clear comprehension is most famously invoked by the Buddha in tandem with mindfulness practice in the Satipatthana Sutta:
- Herein (in this teaching) a monk lives contemplating the body in the body, ardent, clearly comprehending and mindful, having overcome, in this world, covetousness and grief;
- he lives contemplating feelings in feelings, ardent, clearly comprehending and mindful, having overcome, in this world, covetousness and grief;
- he lives contemplating consciousness in consciousness, ardent, clearly comprehending and mindful, having overcome, in this world, covetousness and grief;
- he lives contemplating mental objects in mental objects, ardent, clearly comprehending and mindful, having overcome, in this world, covetousness and grief.
Clear comprehension develops out of mindfulness of breathing (ānāpānasati) and is subsequently present in tandem with mindfulness for all four satipathanas.
Canonical commentary
While the nikayas do not elaborate on what the Buddha meant by sampajañña, the Pali commentaries analyze it further in terms of four contexts for one's comprehension:
- purpose (Pāli: sātthaka): refraining from activities irrelevant to the path.
- suitability (sappāya): pursuing activities in a dignified and careful manner.
- domain (gocara): maintaining sensory restraint consistent with mindfulness.
- non-delusion (asammoha): seeing the true nature of reality (see three characteristics).
Contemporary commentary
Critical to Right Mindfulness' purpose (Nyanaponika)
In a correspondence between Bhikkhu Bodhi and B. Alan Wallace, Bodhi described Ven. Nyanaponika Thera's views on "right mindfulness" and sampajañña as follows,
- ... I should add that Ven. Nyanaponika himself did not regard “bare attention” as capturing the complete significance of satipaṭṭhāna, but as representing only one phase, the initial phase, in the meditative development of right mindfulness. He held that in the proper practice of right mindfulness, sati has to be integrated with sampajañña, clear comprehension, and it is only when these two work together that right mindfulness can fulfill its intended purpose.
Use day and night (Nhat Hanh)
Vietnamese Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh, has written with regards to the aforementioned verse in the Satipatthana Sutra, on the topic of sampajañña, the following,
- This exercise is the observation and awareness of the actions of the body. This is the fundamental practice of the monk. When I was first ordained as a novice forty-eight years ago, the first book my master gave me to learn by heart was a book of gathas to be practiced while washing your hands, brushing your teeth, washing your face, putting on your clothes, sweeping the courtyard, relieving yourself, having a bath, and so on.
- ... If a novice applies himself to the practice of [this] ... exercise, he will see that his everyday actions become harmonious, graceful, and measured. Mindfulness becomes visible in his actions and speech. When any action is placed in the light of mindfulness, the body and mind become relaxed, peaceful, and joyful. [This] ... exercise is one to be used day and night throughout one's entire life.
See also
- Asaṃprajanya - non-alertness, non-vigilance, etc.
- Buddhist meditation
- Mindfulness
- Satipatthana