The Meaning and Signifi cance of Kāyagatāsati in Theravāda Buddhism

Abstract

The contemplation on the body means being ardent of mindfulness with own self
and as well as others the materials what constitutes the physical body. It is a great method
of meditation contemplating on repulsiveness and loathsome that brings a great benefi t of
beings to know about the reality of the physical forms. One should accept and consider the
reality that one’s body is eventually subject to be changed. The body is made of the four
materials. And this is instantly changeable. Consequently the death is inevitable so that one’s
mind should not suffer through worry, fear and anxieties. Moreover, one should remember
and remind oneself that one day one’s body will be decaying and dying subsequently. The
mindfulness with contemplation on body teaches to be agreed with this condition of life
smoothly.
The kāyagatāsati is a mindfulness which bears the wisdom that is able to extinguish
affl ictions and bring about mental purity and enlightenment. kāyagatāsati plays a very great
role in the daily life of modern society. Because the human beings are running behind the
worldly pleasures in today’s world where there is less values of loving kindness, dignity,
and full of intolerant and lack of trust. Here is the dukkha peoples fail to understand. The
contemplation on body effi ciently gives lessons of true nature of lives and ultimately bends
to the Nibbāna.