This “Dhamma Studies: The Fundamentals” course, based on the curriculum of the Thai Nak Tham standardized exams, leads students through a stepwise enumeration of groups of Dhammas similar to that found in the Aṅguttara Nikāya. The Course is broken up into Eight Units with each unit providing enough material for a suggested two weeks of in-depth study resulting in a four-month introductory syllabus. Each Unit features numbered lists of Dhammas in progressive ordering. Thus, Unit 1 contains several Dhamma lists featuring, two, then three items. Unit 2 features further Dhamma lists of three and four items, etc. The course discussion forum hosted through Discord can be reached through the link to the right.
Mindfulness (sati) and clear comprehension (sampajañña) lie at the very heart of the Buddha’s teaching. Rather than appearing in isolation as it often does in secular contexts, the knowing mental quality of mindfulness regularly shows up in the Buddha’s early discourses paired with the discriminative factor of clear comprehension or alertness. In this lesson, these two mindstates will be examined in their native context of the Pali Canon and through the discerning writings of ancient and modern commentators try to put them into lived practice.
You may download the topic’s flashcard deck on Quizlet or Anki for further study.
Pre-test yourself
Sample Video Placeholder
Mindfulness and Clear Comprehension Lecture Example | Ajahn Example
And what is the faculty of mindfulness?It’s when a noble disciple is mindful. They have utmost mindfulness and alertness, and can remember and recall what was said and done long ago.They meditate observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …mind …principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.This is called the faculty of mindfulness.”
And what is right mindfulness? There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings in & of themselves… the mind in & of itself… mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. This is called right mindfulness.
And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu exercise clear comprehension? Here, bhikkhus, for a bhikkhu feelings are understood as they arise, understoodas they remain present, understood as they pass away. Thoughts are understood as they arise, understood as they remain present, understood as they pass away. Perceptions are understood as they arise, understood as they remain present, understood as they pass away. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu exercises clear comprehension.
Review (Click text for answer)
It’s when a noble disciple is mindful. They have utmost mindfulness and alertness, and can remember and recall what was said and done long ago.They meditate observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …mind …principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.This is called the faculty of mindfulness.
There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings in & of themselves… the mind in & of itself… mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.
Suggestion – In defining the ‘faculty of mindfulness’ the Buddha points to the aspect of sati which involves memory. In defining ‘right mindfulness’, the Buddha highlights the knowing, alert, and balanced aspects of sati.
Exercising clear comprehension in understanding: 1. feelings; 2. thoughts, and ; 3. perceptions.
Their arising, their remaining present, and their passing away.
3) Ancient Commentary
Sati
“Sati has the sense of establishment (upaṭṭhāna)” [Visuddhimagga]
Clear Comprehension as to Purpose (Pāli: sātthaka): refraining from activities irrelevant to the path.
Clear Comprehension as to Suitability (sappāya): pursuing activities in a dignified and careful manner.
Clear Comprehension as to Domain (gocara):[12] maintaining sensory restraint consistent with mindfulness.
Clear Comprehension as to Non-delusion (asammoha): seeing the true nature of reality.
Review (Click text for answer)
sati has the sense of establishment
1. Clear comprehension as to purpose; 2. Clear comprehension as to suitability; 3. Clear comprehension as to domain; 4. Clear comprehension as to non-delusion
II – Understanding Dhamma-Vinaya and the Pātimokkha
Overview
Mindfulness (sati) and clear comprehension (sampajañña) lie at the very heart of the Buddha’s teaching. Rather than appearing in isolation as it often does in secular contexts, the knowing mental quality of mindfulness regularly shows up in the Buddha’s early discourses paired with the discriminative factor of clear comprehension or alertness. In this lesson, these two mindstates will be examined in their native context of the Pali Canon and through the discerning writings of ancient and modern commentators try to put them into lived practice.
You may download the topic’s flashcard deck on Quizlet or Anki for further study.
Pre-test yourself
Sample Video Placeholder
Mindfulness and Clear Comprehension Lecture Example | Ajahn Example
And what is the faculty of mindfulness?It’s when a noble disciple is mindful. They have utmost mindfulness and alertness, and can remember and recall what was said and done long ago.They meditate observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …mind …principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.This is called the faculty of mindfulness.”
And what is right mindfulness? There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings in & of themselves… the mind in & of itself… mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. This is called right mindfulness.
And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu exercise clear comprehension? Here, bhikkhus, for a bhikkhu feelings are understood as they arise, understoodas they remain present, understood as they pass away. Thoughts are understood as they arise, understood as they remain present, understood as they pass away. Perceptions are understood as they arise, understood as they remain present, understood as they pass away. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu exercises clear comprehension.
Review (Click text for answer)
It’s when a noble disciple is mindful. They have utmost mindfulness and alertness, and can remember and recall what was said and done long ago.They meditate observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …mind …principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.This is called the faculty of mindfulness.
There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings in & of themselves… the mind in & of itself… mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.
Suggestion – In defining the ‘faculty of mindfulness’ the Buddha points to the aspect of sati which involves memory. In defining ‘right mindfulness’, the Buddha highlights the knowing, alert, and balanced aspects of sati.
Exercising clear comprehension in understanding: 1. feelings; 2. thoughts, and ; 3. perceptions.
Their arising, their remaining present, and their passing away.
3) Ancient Commentary
Sati
“Sati has the sense of establishment (upaṭṭhāna)” [Visuddhimagga]
Clear Comprehension as to Purpose (Pāli: sātthaka): refraining from activities irrelevant to the path.
Clear Comprehension as to Suitability (sappāya): pursuing activities in a dignified and careful manner.
Clear Comprehension as to Domain (gocara):[12] maintaining sensory restraint consistent with mindfulness.
Clear Comprehension as to Non-delusion (asammoha): seeing the true nature of reality.
Review (Click text for answer)
sati has the sense of establishment
1. Clear comprehension as to purpose; 2. Clear comprehension as to suitability; 3. Clear comprehension as to domain; 4. Clear comprehension as to non-delusion
III – Going forth, Dependence and How to Leave the Training
Overview
Mindfulness (sati) and clear comprehension (sampajañña) lie at the very heart of the Buddha’s teaching. Rather than appearing in isolation as it often does in secular contexts, the knowing mental quality of mindfulness regularly shows up in the Buddha’s early discourses paired with the discriminative factor of clear comprehension or alertness. In this lesson, these two mindstates will be examined in their native context of the Pali Canon and through the discerning writings of ancient and modern commentators try to put them into lived practice.
You may download the topic’s flashcard deck on Quizlet or Anki for further study.
Pre-test yourself
Sample Video Placeholder
Mindfulness and Clear Comprehension Lecture Example | Ajahn Example
And what is the faculty of mindfulness?It’s when a noble disciple is mindful. They have utmost mindfulness and alertness, and can remember and recall what was said and done long ago.They meditate observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …mind …principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.This is called the faculty of mindfulness.”
And what is right mindfulness? There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings in & of themselves… the mind in & of itself… mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. This is called right mindfulness.
And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu exercise clear comprehension? Here, bhikkhus, for a bhikkhu feelings are understood as they arise, understoodas they remain present, understood as they pass away. Thoughts are understood as they arise, understood as they remain present, understood as they pass away. Perceptions are understood as they arise, understood as they remain present, understood as they pass away. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu exercises clear comprehension.
Review (Click text for answer)
It’s when a noble disciple is mindful. They have utmost mindfulness and alertness, and can remember and recall what was said and done long ago.They meditate observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …mind …principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.This is called the faculty of mindfulness.
There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in & of itself — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings in & of themselves… the mind in & of itself… mental qualities in & of themselves — ardent, alert, & mindful — putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world.
Suggestion – In defining the ‘faculty of mindfulness’ the Buddha points to the aspect of sati which involves memory. In defining ‘right mindfulness’, the Buddha highlights the knowing, alert, and balanced aspects of sati.
Exercising clear comprehension in understanding: 1. feelings; 2. thoughts, and ; 3. perceptions.
Their arising, their remaining present, and their passing away.
3) Ancient Commentary
Sati
“Sati has the sense of establishment (upaṭṭhāna)” [Visuddhimagga]
Clear Comprehension as to Purpose (Pāli: sātthaka): refraining from activities irrelevant to the path.
Clear Comprehension as to Suitability (sappāya): pursuing activities in a dignified and careful manner.
Clear Comprehension as to Domain (gocara):[12] maintaining sensory restraint consistent with mindfulness.
Clear Comprehension as to Non-delusion (asammoha): seeing the true nature of reality.
Review (Click text for answer)
sati has the sense of establishment
1. Clear comprehension as to purpose; 2. Clear comprehension as to suitability; 3. Clear comprehension as to domain; 4. Clear comprehension as to non-delusion
