Reading guide
Mindful, defined by the four kinds of mindfulness meditation
Confirmed by direct reading, this discourse defines “mindful” (sato) exactly as the surrounding discourses in this vagga do — through the four kinds of mindfulness meditation, observing the body, feelings, the mind, and principles — giving this half of the discourse a familiar shape.
Aware, defined independently -- arising, remaining, passing away
The discourse's own SECOND definition, of “aware” (sampajāno), is confirmed by direct reading to be a DIFFERENT kind of knowing than mindfulness itself — not observing an aspect of experience, but tracking the MOMENT-TO-MOMENT life cycle of feelings, thoughts, and perceptions as each one arises, remains, and passes away.
"This is my instruction to you" -- framed as personal counsel
Confirmed by direct reading, the phrase “ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanī” (“this is my instruction to you”) opens and closes the discourse identically, framing both definitions together as the Buddha's own direct, personal counsel to the mendicants rather than an abstract doctrinal statement.
Key terms
The text
§1 — the instructionAt Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, a mendicant should live mindful and aware. This is my instruction to you.
§2 — how a mendicant is mindfulAnd how is a mendicant mindful? It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. That’s how a mendicant is mindful.
§3 — how a mendicant is awareAnd how is a mendicant aware? It’s when a mendicant knows feelings as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away. They know thoughts as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away. They know perceptions as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away. That’s how a mendicant is aware. A mendicant should live mindful and aware. This is my instruction to you.”
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