“Bhikkhus, for anyone who has encompassed the great ocean in their mind, all the streams flowing into it are included. Similarly, bhikkhus, for anyone who has developed and extensively cultivated mindfulness of the body, all wholesome qualities that are part of the path to realization are included.”

– AN 1.575

“One factor, bhikkhus, when developed and extensively cultivated, leads to great urgency … great benefit … great safety from bondage … to mindfulness and clear comprehension … to the acquisition of knowledge and vision … to blissful living in the present life … to the realization of the fruit of knowledge and liberation. What is that one factor? Mindfulness of the body. This one factor, when developed and extensively cultivated, leads to great urgency … great benefit … great safety from bondage … to mindfulness and clear comprehension … to the acquisition of knowledge and vision … to blissful living in the present life … to the realization of the fruit of knowledge and liberation.”

– AN 1.576–582

“When one factor, bhikkhus, is developed and extensively cultivated, both body and mind become peaceful, thought and examination settle down, and all qualities leading to realization reach full development. Which one factor? Mindfulness of the body. In this, bhikkhus, when the one factor is developed and extensively cultivated, both body and mind become peaceful, thought and examination settle down, and all qualities leading to realization reach full development.”

– AN 1.583

“When one factor, bhikkhus, is developed and extensively cultivated, unwholesome qualities do not arise, and if arisen, they are abandoned. Which one factor? Mindfulness of the body. In this, bhikkhus, when the one factor is developed and extensively cultivated, unwholesome qualities do not arise, and if arisen, they are abandoned.”

– AN 1.584

“When one factor, bhikkhus, is developed and extensively cultivated, wholesome qualities arise, and once arisen, they increase and expand. Which one factor? Mindfulness of the body. In this, bhikkhus, when the one factor is developed and extensively cultivated, wholesome qualities arise, and once arisen, they increase and expand.”

– AN 1.584

“When one factor, bhikkhus, is developed and extensively cultivated, ignorance is abandoned … knowledge arises … the conceit ‘I am’ is abandoned … underlying tendencies are eradicated … fetters are abandoned. Which one factor? Mindfulness of the body. In this, bhikkhus, when the one factor is developed and extensively cultivated, ignorance is abandoned … knowledge arises … the conceit ‘I am’ is abandoned … underlying tendencies are eradicated … fetters are abandoned.”

– AN 1.586–590

The Buddha is sharing in these short teachings on the benefits of mindfulness of body. When mindfulness of body is steadily established across meditation and all physical activities that one does, it leads to the benefits the Buddha is sharing in these teachings.

Elsewhere, the Buddha shares on the establishing of mindfulness as creating a strong pillar or sign post for the mind to have refuge in.

Related Teachings:

The Four Establishments of Mindfulness (MN 10) - The Buddha shares six approaches to cultivate mindfulness of the body.

Causes for Diverse Perceptions, Intentions, Passions, Quests (SN 14.7) - The diverse external elements of sense experience give rise to diverse perceptions, intentions, desires, passions, and quests. When mindfulness of the body and the four foundations of body, feelings, mind and mental qualities is strongly established, one can effectively apply sense restraint.

Gradual training and gradual progress: The Habit Curve - The Buddha’s gradual guidelines presented with the science of habit building. When the guidelines are trained in as cultivation of new habits, they gradually lead to establishing of mindfulness of the body.