Grammatical Analysis
Sati: [f.] mindfulness; awareness; attentiveness; memory. From root sar (to remember, call to mind).
Orthodox Definition
In orthodox Theravāda psychology, sati is an indispensable beautiful mental factor (sobhana-cetasika). While its linguistic root relates to memory, doctrinally it does not mean merely remembering past events, but rather the quality of mental presence and non-forgetfulness of the present object.
The Visuddhimagga defines its specific characteristics as follows:
- Lakkhaṇa (Characteristic): Non-floating, non-drifting away from the meditation object (apilāpanalakkhaṇā).
- Rasa (Function): Unforgetfulness or clarity (asammosarasā).
- Paccupaṭṭhāna (Manifestation): Guarding the doors of the senses, or confronting the objective field face-to-face (ārakkhapaccupaṭṭhānā).
- Padaṭṭhāna (Proximate Cause): Firm perception (thirasaññāpadaṭṭhānā) or the four foundations of mindfulness (satipaṭṭhāna).
Sati operates as a spiritual faculty (indriya), a spiritual power (bala), and is the primary factor of enlightenment (bojjhaṅga). It must always be balanced carefully with wisdom (paññā).
Textual References
- Sutta: Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (MN 10) – The foundational text mapping mindfulness into body, feelings, mind, and mental principles.
- Abhidhamma: Vibhaṅga (Satipaṭṭhānavibhaṅga section).
- Commentary: Papañcasūdanī (Exposition on the mindfulness methods).