The Merits and Benefits of Practicing the Four Foundations of Mindfulness

Practicing according to the Mahasatipatthana Sutta, as the power of concentration (samadhi) continuously strengthens, one feels increasingly benefited. Persistently observing the breath and observing the material body during walking, standing, sitting, and lying down, the mind becomes progressively calmer and more refined. Ultimately, one can observe all changing phenomena of the material body from head to toe, inside and out. The mind becomes very sharp and wise, all due to the cultivation of samadhi. Without cultivating samadhi, the mind remains coarse; one cannot observe or detect any condition within or without the material body, especially one's own internal afflictions of greed, hatred, and delusion, and all kinds of ignorance. Firstly, one cannot discover them, and secondly, one cannot subdue them. Therefore, it is essential to cultivate samadhi and practice the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipatthana) to increase the wisdom of insight meditation, subdue afflictions, and avoid or reduce the creation of unwholesome karma.

During the practice of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, the mind becomes increasingly calm. When it becomes calm to a certain degree and the causes and conditions are ripe, upon encountering a teaching or a condition, one can immediately reflect and investigate, instantly gaining inspiration, and thereby realizing the Dharma. When samadhi is well-cultivated, the mind becomes very sharp, with strong concentration. One can constantly focus on the present moment, knowing one's own body and mind, internally and externally. Regardless of what external circumstances arise, although the mind is very clear about them, one can manage not to pay attention to them and remain unmoved. When internal afflictions arise, the mind is also clear about them, yet one can refrain from following the afflictions to create karmic actions. This is the merit of samadhi: a tranquil mind can subdue afflictions. As afflictions lessen, attachment to worldly things diminishes and lightens. One becomes unwilling to spend more time and energy on worldly affairs, feeling that many things are unimportant. With a single-minded dedication to the Path, one's vows become vast, and the practice enters the right track. Attaining enlightenment (seeing the Path) is then only a matter of time.