In the Buddhist tradition, satipaṭṭhāna (Pāli; Skt. smṛtyupasthāna) refers to the establishing, foundation (paṭṭhāna; pasthāna) or presence (upaṭṭhāna; upasthāna) of "mindfulness" (sati; smṛti). The Buddha taught the establishing of mindfulness as the 'direct path' (Ekāyano maggo) to the realisation of nirvana.Cattāro satipaṭṭhānā means the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, bases for maintaining moment-by-moment mindfulness and for developing mindfulness through meditation. In contemporary times the practice is most associated with Theravada Buddhism. The method is also known as Vipassana meditation.

The four foundations of mindfulness are:

Satipaṭṭhāna is a compound term that has been analyzed (and thus translated) in two ways: sati-paṭṭhāna ("foundation of mindfulness"), and sati-upaṭṭhāna ("presence of mindfulness").

Satipaṭṭhāna is a way of implementing the right mindfulness (sammā-sati) and, less directly, the right concentration (sammā-samādhi) parts of the Noble Eightfold Path. Satipaṭṭhāna meditation develops the mental factors of vipassana (insight) and samatha (calm). Satipaṭṭhāna is practiced most often in the context of Theravada Buddhism although the principles are also practiced in most traditions of Buddhism which emphasize meditation such as the Sōtō Zen tradition.

Satya Narayan Goenka (born 1924) is a leading lay teacher of Vipassanā meditation and a student of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. He has trained more than 800 assistant teachers and each year more than 100,000 people attend Goenka led Vipassana courses.

Goenka emphasises that, "The Buddha never taught a sectarian religion; he taught Dhamma - the way to liberation - which is universal" and presents his teachings as non-sectarian and open to people of all faiths or no faith. Goenka calls Vipassana meditation an experiential scientific practice, through which one can observe the constantly changing nature of the mind and body at the deepest level, a profound understanding that leads to a truly happy and peaceful life. Goenka Ji has also been conferred the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour in India for social work on the occasion of India's 63rd republic day

Mr Satya Narayan Goenka (born 1924) is a Principal Teacher of Vipassana, the practical quintessence of the Buddha's teaching and a student of Sayagyi U Ba Khin . He has trained more than 800 assistant teachers and each year more than 100,000 people attend Vipassana courses.