The Four Bases of Mindfulness

Week of Nov 21, 2004 – The Four Bases of Mindfulness

The Four Bases of Mindfulness are the first four aids of The Thirty-Seven Aids to Enlightenment. These Four Bases of Mindfulness, also known as the Fourfold Stages of Mindfulness or Meditation, are:
1. Mindfulness of the Body
2. Mindfulness of Feelings, Sensations
3. Mindfulness of States of Consciousness;
4. Mindfulness of all Phenomena or Objects of Consciousness.

In the Theravada tradition, they are more fundamental as follows:
1. Contemplation on the Body (as Body);
2. Contemplation on all Feelings and Sensation (as Feelings);
3. Contemplation on the Mind (as Mind);
4. Contemplation on Dharma (as Dharma).

In the Mahayana tradition, these four bases are elaborated as:
1. Contemplation on the Body as impure;
2. Contemplation on Feelings as suffering;
3. Contemplation on the Mind as impermanent;
4. Contemplation on all Dharma as dependent, without self-entity.

The Five-fold Procedures for Quieting the Mind basically provide us training on concentration whereas the Fourfold Stage of Mindfulness launch us into training on contemplation. Concentration (Shamatha) and Contemplation (Vipassana) are the two wings that are needed for the attainment of Wisdom (Prajna).

The Theravadan view of the Four Bases of Mindfulness is very well acknowledged in the Mahasatipatthana Sutra. You can view this Sutra at http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/mahasati.htm

I highly recommend you read this Sutra thoroughly. It is not too long and it is extremely helpful.

These Four Bases of Mindfulness guide us from the contemplation on the body, feelings, and mind to contemplation on the dharma. Body is a physical location that nobody has trouble pinpointing. Feelings are more abstract and sensitivity is a matter of degree. Mind is more abstract still, conceptually, and harder to take hold of. Finally, dharma is something more intangible and not easy to recognize, let alone realize. Thus these Four Bases lead us to work from the contingent to the unspeakable, and offer us a step-by-step gradual process to extend our efforts. These four bases of mindfulness can be practiced one by one or all together when you are familiar with them.

This fourfold method, or objectivity of thought, is also intended for stimulating the mind in ethical wisdom. It consists of contemplating the body as impure and utterly filthy; sensation or consciousness as always resulting in suffering; mind as impermanent (merely one sensation after another); things in general as being dependent and without a nature of their own. This ethical wisdom is a very helpful guideline while we are learning on the Bodhi Path. This wisdom enables us to be rid of unhealthy/unnecessary desires and greed, and to understand and realize impermanence and emptiness.

See how meticulous and refined Buddhist learning is! This is only the beginning of the Thirty-seven Aids. Let’s build a solid foundation in the learning of the Four Bases of Mindfulness, put our effort, time and heart into this learning. We are on the gateway to the spectacular and brilliant path of Wisdom. Cultivate this mindfulness and the rewards will be immeasurable!