Satipatthana Sutta Discourses: Talks from a course in Maha-satipatthana Sutta

by S.N. Goenka, Patrick Given-Wilson (Editor)

A condensed version of S.N. Goenka's discourses from an eight-day course on the Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta. Goenkaji reads and interprets the sutta in his discourses, giving life and inspiring relevance to the primary text given by the Buddha about Vipassana meditation practice. (Note: This title was previously published under ISBN 9781938754906. Due to technical issues a new ISBN had to be assigned. Rest assured that both versions of this title are exactly the same.)

Genres: Buddhism, Meditation, Philosophy

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Students of Vipassana, after sitting three 10-day courses and serving one 1-day course and practicing Vipassana meditation daily can register to sit an 8-day course called Satipatthana Sutta. I sat my first Sati course in July 2012 having no idea really what the course entailed or what the evening discourses would be like as compared to the 10-day Vipassana courses I had sat previously.

At the Sati course we were given a book with the Satipatthana discourse written in full in both Pali and English. Each morning S.N. Goenka chanted the full Sati and in the evening discourses he explained the meaning part by part.

I purchased this book following the course to renew my understanding of this Sutta and how it more deeply informs the practice of Vipassana for serious meditators.

I have tried to sit a Sati once a year since 2012 and read this book before I sit each time.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the only book you'll really need for serious Vipassana practice.

[dB · Rating 5 out of 5]

The is the secret sauce I have been seeking. A lot to unpack, and it will require many more readings as I progress along the path. But this book finally tied everything together for me: Vipassana, the 8 Fold Path, the 4 Noble Truths, Ānāpānasati. Goenka speaks so clearly and always manages to answer my questions throughout his teachings. I don't think I would have found this book as amazing had it been one of the first things on Buddhism I read. But fortunately for me, it came at the perfect time. This little book has so much information packed into it.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent commentary on the Satipatthana Sutta. Note that the original text is not included, only the discourses, which are essentially a transcript of one of Goenkaji's classes on the Sutta. I believe this book will be of most value to those who have attended one of the ten day Vipassana Meditation courses.

[Yaseen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The notes on the end with the Pali terms are more important before beginning to read through the script. As a text that talks about experiences, without practicing mindfulness in the vipassana tradition, the text would make no sense to someone who would want to intellectually try to understand it.

[Paulo Behar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential for a good life. Path to a happy life. Ancient/modern tips for a pure life. No words good enough to describe.

[Pro Mukherjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helps open a new deep door of practice.

[Wilgot Qvant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains a lot of information usefull when practising Vipassana. The Theory helps with evaluation of progress. Aswell as further explaining the technique.

[Everett Grandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

forest of corporealness

is perspective... therein does consciousness roam... once such ends taking next step in i am there may one entertain such as this path to clarity

[Matheus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beware that the talks transcribed in this book are freely available through the dhamma.org app.
Reading this book only makes sense if you really commit yourself to the practice.
It is helpful in understanding the theory behind the practice. As I was told by a fellow practioneer in my first course 'one ounce of practice is better than one ton of theory'.
Goenka even says 'The proof is in eating the cake'.
Make sure to keep attending with sampajanna throughout your reading and your life haha.
This book is a treasure.
May all beings be happy.

[Philippe Desaulniers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is mainly intended as a companion book for those taking the Satipatthana course as taught by S.N. Goenka. It's not an easy read, due to numerous and long quotes in Pali. But it does give a clear explanation of the practice described in the sutta, as near as I can tell. For meditators with experience with Goenka's technique, this seems like a great reference for its most advanced aspects.

[Jessica Zu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very concise interpretation, right to the point. If you want to learn meditation, try Goenkaji's 10-day vipassana course. Give yourself a chance to learn the essance of genuine happiness.

[Punn · Rating 5 out of 5]

(บันทึก)
วิปัสสนา อ.โกเอ็นก้า ครั้งที่ 5 คอร์สสติปัฏฐาน
ธรรมสุวรรณา จ. ขอนแก่น 6-15 ก.พ. 63
อ. ฤทธิพร