<p>Sati is often translated as "mindful of." So Ānāpānasati means: "mindfulness of in-and out-breathing" or "conscious of in-and-out breath" However, part of the act of doing this is partially somatic, your body experiencing itself, your emotions, thoughts, etc. experienced as they are in and of themselves. It's not a purely mental exercise. It's not reflecting on or thinking about, or placing in a conceptual context. Sati, in and of itself, can lead to a profound stillness of mind and body. Sampajañña, on the other hand, uses the mental and emotive faculties to deeply investigate, discriminate, comprehend, and reach conclusions. Principally, to deeply understand the impermanence of all things. Combined with sati, one comprehends Sunyata, emptiness, impermanence, non-existence of a permanent self, and that identifying with self or sense of permanence only leads to suffering in this life.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-16T23:22:24.217Z
2019-03-16T23:22:24.217Z
brother eric
<p>I believe in Pali Canon they are used synonymically.</p>

<p>In my understanding,</p>

<p>Sampajanna simply means: being self-aware, not getting carried away (esp. by emotions), paying attention to what you're doing.</p>

<p>Sati has a similar meaning, except the emphasis is on remembering the instructions, remembering the teaching, remembering your vows, remembering what you promised you will and won't do and why. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-17T02:49:13.727Z
I marked this answer down for the following reasons: (i) it appears the two terms are not synonymic. As Ajahn Jayasaro has said, sati is concentration faculty and sampajana is wisdom faculty. The two terms may be generally used together in the same contexts but they are not used synonymically; (ii) sampajanna is essentially engaging wisdom, which is not really highlighted in the answer above; (iii) sati is well-explained but it excludes the fact that sati also means remembering to engage sampajanna.
Dhamma Dhatu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-17T10:04:25.350Z
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been [moved to chat](https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/91154/discussion-on-answer-by-andrei-volkov-difference-between-sati-and-sampajanna).
ChrisW
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-16T13:43:03.510Z
2019-03-16T13:43:03.510Z
Andriy Volkov
<p>Sati means to 'remember' (SN 48.10) or 'bring to &amp; keep in mind' (MN 117). </p>

<p>Sampajana is situational wisdom; the right or thorough understanding of or for a situation. </p>

<p><a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/sampaj%C4%81na" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sampajana</a> is from the words <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/sa%E1%B9%83" rel="nofollow noreferrer">saṃ</a> &amp; <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/sampaj%C4%81na" rel="nofollow noreferrer">pajāna</a> (cp. <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/paj%C4%81n%C4%81ti" rel="nofollow noreferrer">pajānāti</a>). It appears suttas such as MN 118, <a href="https://suttacentral.net/an3.121/en/sujato" rel="nofollow noreferrer">AN 3.121</a> &amp; SN 12.28 indicate mere <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/paj%C4%81n%C4%81ti" rel="nofollow noreferrer">pajānāti</a> might be a level of knowing or recognition that is not as complete as <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/sampaj%C4%81na" rel="nofollow noreferrer">sampajana</a>. </p>

<p>For example, in MN 118, <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/paj%C4%81n%C4%81ti" rel="nofollow noreferrer">pajānāti</a> is only used with the most basic practise, namely, knowing long &amp; short breathing. In <a href="https://suttacentral.net/an3.121/en/sujato" rel="nofollow noreferrer">AN 3.121</a>, <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/paj%C4%81n%C4%81ti" rel="nofollow noreferrer">pajānāti</a> is used for the recognition of the arising of defilements (which means the mind does not have thorough understanding; if defilements are arising). In <a href="https://suttacentral.net/sn12.28/en/sujato" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SN 12.28</a>, <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/paj%C4%81n%C4%81ti" rel="nofollow noreferrer">pajānāti</a> of Dependent Origination is called '<em>one endowed with a trainee’s knowledge</em>’; ‘<em>one who has entered the stream of the teaching</em>’. Thus, mere <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/paj%C4%81n%C4%81ti" rel="nofollow noreferrer">pajānāti</a> appears different to <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/sa%E1%B9%83" rel="nofollow noreferrer">saṃ</a> + <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/sampaj%C4%81na" rel="nofollow noreferrer">pajāna</a>, namely, "thorough" or "complete" understanding. </p>

<p>While the suttas do not explain much about sampajana, when <a href="https://suttacentral.net/sn47.35/en/sujato" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SN 47.35</a> briefly defines 'sampajana', it uses the word "<a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/vidita" rel="nofollow noreferrer">vidita</a>" (pp. of <a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/vindati" rel="nofollow noreferrer">vindati</a>), which means "to understand" or "understood", as Bhikkhu Bodhi appeared to properly translate as "understood" (and Sujato &amp; Thanissaro improperly translated as "known"). </p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu exercise clear comprehension? Here, bhikkhus, for a bhikkhu feelings are understood as they arise,
  understood as they remain present, understood as they pass away.
  Thoughts are understood as they arise, understood as they remain
  present, understood as they pass away. Perceptions are understood as
  they arise, understood as they remain present, understood as they pass
  away. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu exercises clear
  comprehension.</em></p>
  
  <p><a href="https://suttacentral.net/sn47.35/en/bodhi" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><em>Bhikkhu Bodhi</em></a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Thus, it appears obvious "sampajjana" means to thoroughly or completely understand something or a situation with right understanding rather than to have mere "bare awareness". "Bare awareness" without understanding (similar to a small child ignorantly looking non-judgmentally at the ocean, not understanding its danger) is not "sampajana". </p>

<p>For example, in <a href="https://suttacentral.net/mn66/en/sujato" rel="nofollow noreferrer">MN 66</a> and <a href="https://suttacentral.net/sn12.17/en/sujato" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SN 12.17</a>, the word "<a href="https://suttacentral.net/define/vidita" rel="nofollow noreferrer">vidita</a>" means "to understand" rather than merely "experience with bare awareness", as follows:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>Because I understand the diversity of faculties as it applies to this person.</em></p>
  
  <p><em>Indriyavemattatā hi me, udāyi, imasmiṃ puggale viditā.</em></p>
  
  <p><em>MN 66</em></p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p><em>However, I have recognized individual differences.</em></p>
  
  <p><em>Api ca mayā puggalavemattatā viditā”ti.</em></p>
  
  <p><em>SN 12.17</em></p>
</blockquote>

<p>MN 66 &amp; SN 12.17 seem to show Bhikkhu Sujato and particularly Bhikkhus Thanissaro (with his "bare awareness") provide inaccurate translations &amp; explanations of SN 47.35. </p>

<p>In summary, sati delivers &amp; maintains sampajjana. They work together. </p>

<p>Please refer to <a href="https://youtu.be/rpCy9Tb73gw" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ajahn Jayasaro You Tube</a> or <a href="https://www.dhammatalks.net/Books/Bhikkhu_Buddhadasa_Natural_Cure_for_Spiritual_Disease2.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ajahn Buddhadasa Part II. The Use of Dhamma</a>. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-16T13:39:07.113Z
Thanks for the answer and also for the Ajahn Jayasaro video. [SN 48.10](https://suttacentral.net/sn48.10/en/sujato) is very good for sati. Unfortunately, the eponymous [Sati Sutta (SN 47.35)](https://suttacentral.net/sn47.35/en/sujato) which talks about sati and sampajanna is not clear at all.
ruben2020
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-16T13:39:18.917Z
[This essay](https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/mindfulnessdefined.html) by Thanissaro Bhikkhu is also helpful. He wrote: "*Directions such as “bring bare attention to the breath,” or “accept the breath,” or whatever else modern teachers tell us that mindfulness is supposed to do, are actually functions for other qualities in the mind. They're not automatically a part of sati, but you should bring them along wherever they're appropriate.*"
ruben2020
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-17T03:04:44.300Z
Thanks. Interestingly, in SN 47.35, sampajāno is defined without sati, but sati is defined with sampajāno included in it. "*Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu **sato** hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī **sampajāno satimā**, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṃ;*"
ruben2020
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-17T03:07:32.593Z
Interesting? The answer is Bodhi. Of course sati is defined with sampajāno. Samma sati is about the right things (and not wrong things) to remember or bear in mind.
Dhamma Dhatu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-16T10:17:23.403Z
2019-03-17T09:54:09.240Z
2019-03-17T09:54:09.240Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<p>What is the difference between <em>sati</em> (mindfulness) and <em>sampajañña</em> (awareness, clear comprehension)?</p>

<p>Please provide examples.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-16T10:18:57.140Z
sampajāna is not "awareness". the english term "awareness" are far too general & vague to be used for any Pali term.
Dhamma Dhatu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-17T03:10:35.397Z
Thanks for your question. After so many years, I think i now know what sampajana is according to the suttas rather than only according to experience.
Dhamma Dhatu
<mindfulness><sati><sampajana>
Difference between sati and sampajanna
# Difference between sati and sampajanna

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-03-16)

What is the difference between *sati* (mindfulness) and *sampajañña* (awareness, clear comprehension)?

Please provide examples.

**Tags:** mindfulness, sati, sampajana

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: sampajāna is not "awareness". the english term "awareness" are far too general & vague to be used for any Pali term.  
> **username_1**: Thanks for your question. After so many years, I think i now know what sampajana is according to the suttas rather than only according to experience.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-03-16. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

Sati means to 'remember' (SN 48.10) or 'bring to & keep in mind' (MN 117).

Sampajana is situational wisdom; the right or thorough understanding of or for a situation.

[Sampajana](https://suttacentral.net/define/sampaj%C4%81na) is from the words [saṃ](https://suttacentral.net/define/sa%E1%B9%83) & [pajāna](https://suttacentral.net/define/sampaj%C4%81na) (cp. [pajānāti](https://suttacentral.net/define/paj%C4%81n%C4%81ti)). It appears suttas such as MN 118, [AN 3.121](https://suttacentral.net/an3.121/en/sujato) & SN 12.28 indicate mere [pajānāti](https://suttacentral.net/define/paj%C4%81n%C4%81ti) might be a level of knowing or recognition that is not as complete as [sampajana](https://suttacentral.net/define/sampaj%C4%81na).

For example, in MN 118, [pajānāti](https://suttacentral.net/define/paj%C4%81n%C4%81ti) is only used with the most basic practise, namely, knowing long & short breathing. In [AN 3.121](https://suttacentral.net/an3.121/en/sujato), [pajānāti](https://suttacentral.net/define/paj%C4%81n%C4%81ti) is used for the recognition of the arising of defilements (which means the mind does not have thorough understanding; if defilements are arising). In [SN 12.28](https://suttacentral.net/sn12.28/en/sujato), [pajānāti](https://suttacentral.net/define/paj%C4%81n%C4%81ti) of Dependent Origination is called '*one endowed with a trainee’s knowledge*’; ‘*one who has entered the stream of the teaching*’. Thus, mere [pajānāti](https://suttacentral.net/define/paj%C4%81n%C4%81ti) appears different to [saṃ](https://suttacentral.net/define/sa%E1%B9%83) + [pajāna](https://suttacentral.net/define/sampaj%C4%81na), namely, "thorough" or "complete" understanding.

While the suttas do not explain much about sampajana, when [SN 47.35](https://suttacentral.net/sn47.35/en/sujato) briefly defines 'sampajana', it uses the word "[vidita](https://suttacentral.net/define/vidita)" (pp. of [vindati](https://suttacentral.net/define/vindati)), which means "to understand" or "understood", as Bhikkhu Bodhi appeared to properly translate as "understood" (and Sujato & Thanissaro improperly translated as "known").

> *And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu exercise clear comprehension? Here, bhikkhus, for a bhikkhu feelings are understood as they arise,
> understood as they remain present, understood as they pass away.
> Thoughts are understood as they arise, understood as they remain
> present, understood as they pass away. Perceptions are understood as
> they arise, understood as they remain present, understood as they pass
> away. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu exercises clear
> comprehension.*
>
> [*Bhikkhu Bodhi*](https://suttacentral.net/sn47.35/en/bodhi)

Thus, it appears obvious "sampajjana" means to thoroughly or completely understand something or a situation with right understanding rather than to have mere "bare awareness". "Bare awareness" without understanding (similar to a small child ignorantly looking non-judgmentally at the ocean, not understanding its danger) is not "sampajana".

For example, in [MN 66](https://suttacentral.net/mn66/en/sujato) and [SN 12.17](https://suttacentral.net/sn12.17/en/sujato), the word "[vidita](https://suttacentral.net/define/vidita)" means "to understand" rather than merely "experience with bare awareness", as follows:

> *Because I understand the diversity of faculties as it applies to this person.*
>
> *Indriyavemattatā hi me, udāyi, imasmiṃ puggale viditā.*
>
> *MN 66*
>
> ---
>
> *However, I have recognized individual differences.*
>
> *Api ca mayā puggalavemattatā viditā”ti.*
>
> *SN 12.17*

MN 66 & SN 12.17 seem to show Bhikkhu Sujato and particularly Bhikkhus Thanissaro (with his "bare awareness") provide inaccurate translations & explanations of SN 47.35.

In summary, sati delivers & maintains sampajjana. They work together.

Please refer to [Ajahn Jayasaro You Tube](https://youtu.be/rpCy9Tb73gw) or [Ajahn Buddhadasa Part II. The Use of Dhamma](https://www.dhammatalks.net/Books/Bhikkhu_Buddhadasa_Natural_Cure_for_Spiritual_Disease2.htm).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks for the answer and also for the Ajahn Jayasaro video. [SN 48.10](https://suttacentral.net/sn48.10/en/sujato) is very good for sati. Unfortunately, the eponymous [Sati Sutta (SN 47.35)](https://suttacentral.net/sn47.35/en/sujato) which talks about sati and sampajanna is not clear at all.  
> **username_0**: [This essay](https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/mindfulnessdefined.html) by Thanissaro Bhikkhu is also helpful. He wrote: "*Directions such as “bring bare attention to the breath,” or “accept the breath,” or whatever else modern teachers tell us that mindfulness is supposed to do, are actually functions for other qualities in the mind. They're not automatically a part of sati, but you should bring them along wherever they're appropriate.*"  
> **username_0**: Thanks. Interestingly, in SN 47.35, sampajāno is defined without sati, but sati is defined with sampajāno included in it. "*Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu **sato** hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī **sampajāno satimā**, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṃ;*"  
> **username_1**: Interesting? The answer is Bodhi. Of course sati is defined with sampajāno. Samma sati is about the right things (and not wrong things) to remember or bear in mind.  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-03-16. Score: 1

Sati is often translated as "mindful of." So Ānāpānasati means: "mindfulness of in-and out-breathing" or "conscious of in-and-out breath" However, part of the act of doing this is partially somatic, your body experiencing itself, your emotions, thoughts, etc. experienced as they are in and of themselves. It's not a purely mental exercise. It's not reflecting on or thinking about, or placing in a conceptual context. Sati, in and of itself, can lead to a profound stillness of mind and body. Sampajañña, on the other hand, uses the mental and emotive faculties to deeply investigate, discriminate, comprehend, and reach conclusions. Principally, to deeply understand the impermanence of all things. Combined with sati, one comprehends Sunyata, emptiness, impermanence, non-existence of a permanent self, and that identifying with self or sense of permanence only leads to suffering in this life.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2019-03-16. Score: 0

I believe in Pali Canon they are used synonymically.

In my understanding,

Sampajanna simply means: being self-aware, not getting carried away (esp. by emotions), paying attention to what you're doing.

Sati has a similar meaning, except the emphasis is on remembering the instructions, remembering the teaching, remembering your vows, remembering what you promised you will and won't do and why.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I marked this answer down for the following reasons: (i) it appears the two terms are not synonymic. As Ajahn Jayasaro has said, sati is concentration faculty and sampajana is wisdom faculty. The two terms may be generally used together in the same contexts but they are not used synonymically; (ii) sampajanna is essentially engaging wisdom, which is not really highlighted in the answer above; (iii) sati is well-explained but it excludes the fact that sati also means remembering to engage sampajanna.  
> **username_4**: Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been [moved to chat](https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/91154/discussion-on-answer-by-andrei-volkov-difference-between-sati-and-sampajanna).  

---

