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B. Sujato's translation of 'situational awareness' for 'sampajano' is inadequate


Re: Situation awareness

Post by frank k » Wed Nov 27, 2019 6:09 am
Dhammanando wrote: ↑
Mon Nov 25, 2019 10:56 pm

English renderings of sampajañña are of broadly three kinds. The rendering "clear comprehension" (or some synonym of this) is usually used by those translators who accept the Abhidhamma's treatment of sampajañña as a mode of paññā:
It doesn't need Abhidhamma support to justify that interpretation.
AN 4.41 defines sampajano as :
STED S&S💭 definition custom built for in-jhāna usage
Now look in AN 4.41, the 4 developments of samadhi sutta, and once again you see the same definition of sampajano as in SN 47.35, the one that fits jhāna perfectly in terms of the most obvious things one would investigate from such a still and refined state of mind.
AN 4.41 third of four exercises, for sati and sampajaññāya
Katamā ca, bhikkhave, samādhi-bhāvanā bhāvitā bahulīkatā
{and} what, *********, concentration-development, when developed (and) pursued,
Sati-sampajañ-ñāya saṃvattati?
(to) mindfulness-(and)-clear-comprehension (it) leads?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno
Here, monks, a-monk:
viditā vedanā uppajjanti,
known (are) feelings (as they) arise,
viditā upaṭṭhahanti,
known (as they are) attended-upon,
viditā abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.
known (as they) go to} disappear.
viditā saññā uppajjanti,
known (are) perceptions (as they) arise,
viditā upaṭṭhahanti,
known (as they are) attended-upon,
viditā abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.
known (as they) go to} disappear.
viditā vitakkā uppajjanti,
known (are) thoughts (as they) arise,
viditā upaṭṭhahanti,
known (as they are) attended-upon,
viditā abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.
known (as they) go to} disappear.
Ayaṃ, bhikkhave, samādhi-bhāvanā bhāvitā bahulīkatā
This, *********, concentration-development, when developed (and) pursued,
Sati-sampajañ-ñāya saṃvattati.
mindfulness-(and)-clear-comprehension (it) leads-to.



That same passage also occurs:

AN 7.38 contains same fragment from AN 4.41
MN 111 is really just a more detailed version of AN 7.38 and AN 4.41
AN 7.39 same as AN 7.38 except talking about Sariputta instead of monk
AN 8.9 S&S definition for Ven. Nanda, same as AN 4.41
DN 33.7 S&S definition same as AN 4.41
MN 111 for four jhanas and first 3 formless attainments
MN 123 marvellous quality of the Tathāgata:
SN 47.35 sati defined as 4sp, sampajano same as AN 4.41
Early Theravada Commentary
KN Paṭis, 1. mahāvaggo, 3. ānāpānas-sati-kathā
MN 18 what he feels, he perceives, thinks (compare to AN 4.41)


So in conclusion, 'situational awareness' is a poor translation for it fails to adequately address the important function of sati and sampajano in 3rd jhana, where 'situational awareness of physical postures, etc.' is a marginal feature at best.

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