Mahāpurisasutta
A Great Man
Sāriputta asks the Buddha what is a great man, and the Buddha says it is someone whose mind has been freed by developing the four kinds of mindfulness meditation.
Translations
Nālandasutta
At Nāḷandā
Sāriputta boldly claims that no-one has ever, or will ever, be more enlightened than the Buddha. He admits that he cannot read the minds of all the Buddhas, but he understands a principle of the Dhamma: all those who become awakened do so by giving up the five hindrances, practicing the four kinds of mindfulness meditation, and developing the seven awakening factors.
Translations
Cundasutta
With Cunda
Sāriputta dies of illness, and the novice Cunda together with Ānanda take his bowl and robes and report the sad news to the Buddha. The Buddha dispels Ānanda’s sadness by speaking of the four kinds of mindfulness meditation.
Translations
Ukkacelasutta
At Ukkacelā
After the passing of Sāriputta and Moggallāna (whose actual death is unrecorded in the canon), the Buddha says the Saṅgha looks empty; yet he is not sad.
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Bāhiyasutta
With Bāhiya
When Venerable Bāhiya asks for a teaching to take on retreat, the Buddha teaches the four kinds of mindfulness meditation, well grounded on ethics.
Translations
Uttiyasutta
With Uttiya
When Venerable Uttiya asks for a teaching to take on retreat, the Buddha teaches the four kinds of mindfulness meditation, well grounded on ethics.
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Ariyasutta
Noble
The four kinds of mindfulness meditation lead to the end of suffering.
Translations
Brahmasutta
Divinity
Just after the Buddha’s awakening, Brahmā Sahampati supports the Buddha’s reflection that the four kinds of mindfulness meditation are the way to convergence.
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Sedakasutta
At Sedaka
Two acrobats discuss whether one should support the other, or the other way around. The Buddha says they should support each other. In the same way we should practice the four kinds of mindfulness meditation both for one’s own benefit and to protect others.
Translations
Janapadakalyāṇīsutta
The Finest Lady in the Land
A parable that sets up an impossible challenge: to walk between a popular performer and the crowd jostling to see her, carrying a bowl of oil filled to the brim, while a man with a drawn sword waits to chop off your head if you spill a drop. That’s mindfulness!