Two Approaches of Mindfulness Teachings: Mahasatipatthana Sutta and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Abstract

This article aims to study mindfulness teachings, in terms of objectives, principles and practices, in two approaches: Mahasatipatthana Sutta and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and to analyze their similarities and differences. It was a documentary-based research. It was found that the objective of the first approach or Mahasatipatthana Sutta was Nibbana. its principles were Right Effort, Right View, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration; and its practices were based on 4 foundations: body, sensations, mind and dhamma. The second approach focused on alleviating suffering of people in everyday life, such as stress or unhealthy relationship. Its principles were thoroughly Dhamma-based consideration, such as non-judgment, acceptance, which were practiced in the community of learning, dialogue, along with formal and informal mindfulness practices, such as mindful breathing. The two approaches were similar in an aspect that they included other crucial dhamma as equal importance as mindfulness in the teachings. However, since their objectives were different, their principles and practices to serve the goals were different as well. Different objectives derived from different meanings given to “suffering”. MBSR emphasized on abilities in coping with challenges in everyday life; mindfulness was basically a therapeutic tool. Mahasatipatthana Sutta’s teaching went more deeply into causes of arising and passing away of suffering, which were phenomena in the mind of practitioners, and the root of all kinds of suffering. In conclusion, different meanings of suffering induced different mindfulness teachings in these two approaches.