Mindfulness in Pali Nikayas: Origin and Incubation

Abstract

Śramana tradition has been instrumental to develop number of meditational practices. Some of these practices are based on rigorous austerities and some of them were evolved on faculty and mental development. The mindfulness tradition developed by the Buddha was based on śramanic tradition and middle path was fundamental of this tradition. It has been a wider debate about origin of this technique. Some have the views that it has been directly seen by the Buddha. The examination of the Pāli Nikāyas show that the Buddha evolved it through experiments and experiences. The impact of Non-Vedic tradition, existing before the time of the Buddha is quite visible on it. The paper explores such ideas and trying to introspect some fundamentals about its non-Vedic origin