Four Establishments of Mindfulness Sutra

Transformation and Healing: Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh (trans.), Amazon.com; Dr. Findlay, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

The teachings contained in The Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness are fundamental to the practice of meditation and constitute the foundation of all mindfulness (sati, satipatthana) practice.

The discourse has been studied, practiced, and handed down with special care from generation to generation for 2,600 years.

In his commentaries Thich Nhat Hanh guides the reader to an understanding of the fundamental basis of the Buddhist practice and encourages its application in daily life.

It describes the four methods of mindfulness: mindfulness of

1. the body,
2. the feelings,
3. the mind,
4. the object of mind.

I should practice like you practice.

It teaches how to deal with anger and jealousy, to nurture the best qualities in our children, spouse, and friends, and to greet death with compassion and equanimity.

Three versions of the Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness are presented here, along with Thich Nhat Hanh's insightful commentary and 23 exercises -- or contemplations -- to aid in the practice of mindfulness in daily life.

Thich Nhat Hanh's presentation of the sutra is easy to follow, making it accessible for novice Buddhists as well as more advanced practitioners. It gives us the basics of breathing and how to use our breathing for meditation and contemplation.

With a new introduction by Thich Nhat Hanh. More