Satipatthanasamyutta SN 8 (8)

The Competent Cook

A Discourse on Jhana-nimitta.

June 10, 2005

Based upon a translation by Bhikkhu Bodhi

Edited for readability and sensitivity for the language of gnosis and cognition by the contemplative recluse monk Sotapanna Jhanananda (Jeffrey S, Brooks)

(For free distribution only)

(i. The incompetent cook)

"Contemplatives, suppose a foolish, incompetent, unskillful cook were to present a king or a royal minister with various kinds of curries: sour, butter, pungent, sweet, sharp, mild, salty and bland.

"The foolish, incompetent unskillful cook does not observe the sign (nimitta) of his master's preference: 'Today this curry pleased my master, or he reached for this one, or he took a lot of this one, or he spoke in praise of this on; or the sour curry pleased my master today, or he reached for the sour one, or he took a lot of the sour one, or he spoke in praise of the sour one; or the bitter curry...or the pungent...or the sweet curry...or the sharp curry...or the mild curry...or the salty curry...or the bland curry pleased my master...or he spoke in praise of the bland one.'

"The foolish, incompetent unskillful cook does not gain gifts of clothing, wages, and bonuses. For what reason? Because, that foolish, incompetent unskillful cook does not observe the sign (nimitta) of his master's preferences.

"So too, contemplatives, here some foolish, incompetent unskillful contemplative dwells contemplating the physical body, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure (dukkha) with respect to the world. While he dwells contemplating the physical body, his or her mind does not become absorbed (samadhi), his corruptions are not abandoned. She does not observes the sign (jhana-nimitta). He dwells contemplating physical sensations...the contents of the mind...mental states, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure (dukkha) with respect to the world. While she dwells contemplating phenomena her mind does not become absorbed (samadhi), her corruption are not abandoned, she does not observe the sign (samadhi-nimitta).

"That foolish, incompetent unskillful contemplative does not gain the joyful home of the way (Di.t.thadhammasukhavihaaraa), nor does he gain mindfulness (sati) and clear comprehension. For what reason? Because contemplatives, that foolish, incompetent unskillful contemplative does not observe the sign (samadhi-nimitta) of his own mind.

(ii. The competent cook)

"Suppose, contemplatives, a wise, competent and skillful cook were to present a king or royal minister with various kinds of curries: sour, butter, pungent, sweet, sharp, mild, salty and bland.

"That wise, competent and skillful cook observes the sign of her master's preferences. 'Today this curry pleased my master...or she spoke in praise of the mild one.'

"That wise, competent and skillful cook gains gifts of clothing, wages, and bonuses. For what reason? Because, that wise, competent and skillful cook observes the sign (nimitta) of her master's preferences.

"So too, contemplatives, here some wise, competent, skillful monk dwells contemplating the physical body, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure with respect to the world. While he dwells contemplating the physical body, his mind becomes absorbed (jhana), his corruptions (nivarana) are abandoned, he observes the sign (samadhi-nimitta). She dwells contemplating sensations (vedana)... perception (sañña)... mental states (sañkhara)... cognition (viññana)... ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure with respect to the world. While he dwells contemplating phenomena, his mind becomes absorbed (jhana), his corruptions (nivarana) are abandoned he observes the sign (samadhi-nimitta)" of absorption (jhana) (1).

"That wise, competent and skillful contemplative gains the joyful home of the way (Di.t.thadhammasukhavihaaraa), she gains mindfulness (sati) and clear comprehension. For what reason? Because contemplatives, that wise, competent and skillful contemplative observes the sign (samadhi-nimitta) of his own mind."

(1) While the sign (nimitta) is not linked directly to meditative absorption through the term "samadhi" or "jhana" we can accept the implied suggestion because the terms "samadhi" and "jhana" are used, they just are not linked directly to the term "nimitta."