Do Arhats sleep?
score:4
According to the teachings I received, once the practitioner attains certain level of mastery in meditation, their sleep acquires a character of meditation. It's not like they don't sleep at all, but they do retain certain level of deep awareness during their sleep.
Specifically, when they see a dream, they know it's a dream. They remain aware of their body lying down on the bed. They remain aware of the content of their consciousness no matter how disjointed it gets during a deep sleep. If something happens around them, they wake up easily to provide their help if needed.
Upvote:-1
After first attainment , i had entered into sleep while meditating for 3 times. When i entered into dream i had aware that i am entering into dream, there once i have entered dream , i notice horrfying events in full awareness, i notice each event in dream as it is and then finally everything gone , i was left in a empty space-like state still meditating till i woke up. It is very fascinating event. So i can understand what will be arahant like , it is not dreaming anymore , it is mediation while in sleep.
Upvote:1
An Arahat does not sleep like a normal person. He may give rest to the body but in doing so is fully aware hence not asleep. This is a natural consequence of reducing impurities of the mind. Also the level of awareness does not change.
Another enemy is laziness, drowsiness. All night you slept soundly, and yet when you sit to meditate, you feel very sleepy. This sleepiness is caused by your mental impurities, which would be driven out by the practice of Vipassana, and which therefore try to stop you from meditating. You must fight to prevent this enemy from overpowering you. Breathe slightly hard, or else get up, sprinkle cold water on your eyes, or walk a little, and then sit again.
...
Similarly, when you go to bed at night, close your eyes and feel sensation anywhere within the body. If you fall asleep with this awareness, naturally as soon as you wake up in the morning, you will be aware of sensation. Perhaps you may not sleep soundly, or you may even remain fully awake throughout the night. This is wonderful, provided you stay lying in bed and maintain awareness and equanimity. The body will receive the rest it needs, and there is no greater rest for the mind than to remain aware and equanimous. However, if you start worrying that you are developing insomnia, then you will generate tensions, and will feel exhausted the next day. Nor should you forcefully try to stay awake, remaining in a seated posture all night; that would be going to an extreme. If sleep comes, very good; sleep. If sleep does not come, allow the body to rest by remaining in a recumbent position, and allow the mind to rest by remaining aware and equanimous.
Source: The Discourse Summaries by S.N. Goenka
Also see: Suppati Sutta
Upvote:3
The Buddha is reported not to have slept, but teaching ceaselessly and just entering a state of meditation for two hours per day/night. I don't have any scriptural evidence for this and am rather sure, that none such evidence exists.
More post
- π Losing my religion, and shikantaza
- π Where in the VimalakΔ«rti Sutra is this stated?
- π I am confused about certain things, I really hope some kind person can help
- π Right knowledge and right relase or right release and right knowledge
- π What constitutes virtue and how to train myself in virtue?
- π πWhat does the idea of "separation" have to do with the Buddha's teaching?
- π Does Buddhism claim to be only way to liberation?
- π Difference between Yoniso ManasikΔra and SammΔ sati with SampajaΓ±Γ±Δ
- π If Sabbe Dhamma Anatta then is there hope?
- π When one analyzes SaαΉ khΔras, where does 'unconditioned' fit in?
- π If I download illegal material for my education and if the material is not in my reach in my country, is it still bad karma?
- π How & why can sexual intentions be harmful to others?
- π How to deal with mediocrity
- π Looking for sutta reference on entering into Jhana
- π Are monks allowed to travel during the rain retreat?
- π Health Risks of Meditation?
- π How does the force of ones karma determine where the mind stream goes?
- π What do you think would be a good way to explain death to a child, from a Buddhist perspective?
- π PΔramitΔyΔna and TantrayΔna
- π Is it wrong-view to think there might be more than 5 aggregates?
- π About suffering, expectations and unfalsifiable beliefs
- π Is what is impermanent always the cause of suffering?
- π Is preparing eggs for a meal considered as sinful in Buddhism?
- π Right time, Right time! But what is the right time to speak?
- π Can there be "one day becoming a fully-awakened Buddha" after Parinibbana?
- π What does Buddhism teach regarding Cyber-Bullying?
- π How are bhikkhus using social networking sites?
- π Is playing computer games an unwholesome activity?
- π A good source to learn the Pali language?
- π Someone making sacrifices outside the Sangha of Savakas, can such be expected as follower?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- π Sleep - What about it?
- π Can meditation cause you to sleep less?
- π Do Arhats sleep?
- π Meditating as sleep aid
- π Mindfulness during sleep
- π Buddhas vs bodhisattvas vs arhats vs devas vs brahmas
- π Sleep, references to the buddha and other arhats
- π What meditation practice will allow me to sleep less and focus more?
- π Meditation and being aware in your sleep while dreaming
- π Sleep and meditation
- π Vipassana and sleep quality disturbance
- π Sutta reference or teachings about Sleep timings?
- π Can an ordained person keep a late sleep schedule?
- π Has a teacher referred to sleep as a form of 'lazy nirvana'?
- π Is there a compendium of enlightenment stories (about Arhats and/or Bodhisattvas)?
- π What is sleep paralysis in Buddhism view?
- π Do arhats exist after death?
- π Meditation, sleep paralysis, spinal vibration
- π Why is it that I always experience sleep paralysis (suffocating) very often?
- π Is rebirth a delusional belief?
- π Can the Buddha ever be a woman?
- π If there is no soul, how can there be rebirth?
- π If a buddhist should not kill a mouse living in their home, what justification do they have to rid themselves of a parasite such tapeworms
- π Introductory books to Buddhism
- π Is killing vermin and insects justifiable?
- π What exactly differentiates Vipassana from Samatha meditation?
- π How to explain what Buddhism is?
- π Does illegal downloading or viewing of copyright material violate the second precept?
- π How does stream entry occur?
- π Is moderate drinking acceptable in Buddhism?