The Maha Satipatthana Sutta: The Great Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness is held by many Buddhists to be the most important Sutta dealing with meditation. The Sutta emphasises particularly on the development of Insight. The Buddha begins by declaring the four foundations of mindfulness to be the direct path for the realisation of Nibbana. He gives detailed instructions on the four foundations: the contemplation of the body, feelings, mind, and mind-objects. The Sutta ends with an account of the Four Noble Truths.
To fully appreciate the Sutta one has to be able to understand the meaning, putting it into practice and reciting it regularly to remind oneself of the practice.
On 20 January 2013 Mangala Vihara (Buddhist Temple) kicked-started the New Year with a new activity, recitation of the Maha Satipatthana initiated and led by Bhante Raja.
Maha Satipatthana Sutta Recitation
Every 3rd Sunday of each month
Time: 1:00 pm.
Venue: Shrine Hall
Contact: Sister Sumitta via Mvdf.Spiritual@gmail.com
Temple Location: Mangala Vhara (Buddhist Temple), 30 Jalan Eunos. (Nearest MRT Station: Eunos).
To familiarise members with the Sutta, two recitation practice sessions were conducted on 20 November and 29 December 2012. (See other post: “Maha Satipatthana Sutta Recitation – Practice Session” http://edhamma.net/?p=1946).
This Maha Satipatthana Sutta book is for free distribution and will be used for the recitation session and Sutta Study class.
1,000 copies for free distribution
Every devotee was given a copy of the Sutta, compiled by Bhante Raja in Pali and English with Chinese translation, with his team of dedicated student members. I believe this is the first of the Sutta book in three languages.
Each devotee is given a free copy of the Sutta
The arduous efforts of the team culminated with the printing of 1,000 copies of the Sutta, made possible with generous donations from devotees and well-wishers. An acknowledgement of thank to all donors with their names was included in the book.
The Maha Satipatthana Sutta is a long discourse and took two hours to chant. To sustain stamina and to make it easier for all to complete the whole session, the verses were recited by alternating between the female and male devotees, with the former starting it off.
Bhante leading the rectitation in the Shrine Hall
To understand the meaning of the Sutta one must attend the Sutta Study Class, where the meaning and details will be explained.
Maha Satipatthana Sutta Study
Date: Every Saturday
Time: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Venue: Mangala Vihara (Buddhist Temple) 3rd Floor, Room 1
Facilitator/Presenter: Bhante Raja
Contact person: Brother Chin Kee Thou (chintouch@singnet.com.sg)
All participants will be given a free copy of the Sutta.
Having understood the Sutta we put into practice by meeting up regularly every Thursday in the Group Meditation. After meditation we will have Sharing Session.
Maha Satipatthana Sutta Meditation Group
Day: Every Thursday
Time: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Venue: 2nd Floor Meditation Hall / Shrine Hall
Teacher: Bhante Raja
Language: Chinese / English
Contact: Sister Sumitta (Meditation & Retreat)
(English Section)
All are welcome.
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!
Contributor: Chin Kee Thou