Three Perspectives

This meditation is both Samatha and Vipassana. There are three perspectives:

1. The Samatha Perspective

The Samatha perspective focuses on impurity in accordance with the Maha Satipatthana Sutta. When the meditator contemplates the thirty-two parts of the body, seeing impurity and ugliness until the mind is calmed, this is Samatha.

2. The Vipassana Perspective

The Vipassana perspective focuses on elements in accordance with the Mahเhatthipdopama Sutta, Maharahulovada Sutta and the Dhatuvibhanga Sutta. When the meditator contemplates the body as just elements, not a being, not a person, and not self, or contemplates the Three Characteristics, this is Vipassana. Therefore, contemplation of the body is both Samatha and Vipassana. It depends on the meditator’s perspective, meditation practice and ability to practice both Samatha and Vipassana in one meditation. 

3. The Kasina Perspective

The Kasina perspective focuses on the color of the organs, such as the green color of the bile or intestines, the yellow of the eyeball or fat, the red of blood and white of bone. According to Lord Buddha’s words on Kayagatasati, this defines the four prime color meditation objects.

Examining the color meditation objects  in the thirty-two parts of the body can allow the meditator to reach the Fourth Jhana. Normally, Samatha meditation of the thirty-two parts of the body along with Asubha meditation will allow the meditator to reach only the First Jhana. However, the meditator who does not only contemplate the thirty-two parts as impure but also contemplates them by color of the organs until the mind is calm, which is color meditation objects, can attain the Fourth Jhana.

This meditation allows the meditator to be mindful of every part of the body by color and shape. It is called Kayagatasati. This meditation is not called Asubha because Asubha meditation allows the meditator to contemplate others’ bodies. In Kayagatasati, the meditator contemplates only his or her own body.