The Pleasure of Sleep

What do you think, Monks? Have you ever seen or heard that a head anointed Khattiya King, while exercising rule all his life, is pleasing and agreeable to the country if he spends as much time as he wants yielding to the pleasure of rest, the pleasure of inactivity, the pleasure of sleep?

‘No, Venerable Sir.’

Good, Monks. I too have never seen or heard of such a thing.

What do you think, Monks? Have you ever seen or heard that a royal official ... a favorite son ... a general ... a village headman ... a club master, while exercising leadership over the club all his life, is pleasing and agreeable to the club if he spends as much time as he wants yielding to the pleasure of rest, the pleasure of inactivity, the pleasure of sleep?

‘No, Venerable Sir.’

Good, Monks. I too have never seen or heard of such a thing.

Monks, what do you think? Suppose there is an Ascetic or Brāhmin who spends as much time as he wants yielding to the pleasure of rest, the pleasure of inactivity, the pleasure of sleep; one who does not guard the doors of the sense bases, who is immoderate in eating, and is not intent on wakefulness; who lacks insight into wholesome qualities; who does not reside intent on the effort to develop the aids to Enlightenment in the earlier and later phases of the night. Have you ever seen or heard that such a one, with the destruction of the taints, has realized for himself with direct knowledge (experience), in this very life, the taintless liberation of mind, liberation by wisdom, and having entered upon it, resides in it?

‘No, Venerable Sir.’

Good, Monks. I too have never seen or heard of such a thing.

Therefore, Monks, you should train yourselves thus: We will guard the doors of the sense bases, be moderate in eating, and be intent on wakefulness; we will have wisdom into wholesome qualities, and will reside intent on the effort to develop the aids to Enlightenment in the earlier and later phases of the night.

Thus, Monks, should you train yourselves.

(Reference: AN 6.17)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how in order to attain Enlightenment a Practitioner will need to not seek “pleasure in sleep” and “inactivity” but instead, apply energy and effort to being determined, dedicated, and diligent through applying effort to develop a foundation in these Teachings.

Using the examples of people from other parts of like such as a King, a royal official, a favorite son, a general, a village headman, and a club master, The Buddha explains how none of these people have been successful through seeking “pleasure in sleep” or “inactivity” but instead, would need to be active in their role to meet with success.

Similarly, he applies this to individuals who have the objective to attain Enlightenment. That if one is complacent, lethargic, or lazy towards the goal of attaining Enlightenment, then the goal will not be accomplished.

Instead, The Buddha encourages and motivates his Students to “guard the doors of the sense bases, be moderate in eating, and be intent on wakefulness; we will have wisdom into wholesome qualities, and will reside intent on the effort to develop the aids to Enlightenment”.

Wakefulness is to be interested in awakening the mind to Enlightenment through acquiring wisdom. Pursuing and progressing to Enlightenment as goal, objective, and interest rather than with craving/desire/attachment.

If a Practitioner “spends as much time as he wants yielding to the pleasure of rest, the pleasure of inactivity, the pleasure of sleep; one who does not guard the doors of the sense bases, who is immoderate in eating, and is not intent on wakefulness; who lacks insight into wholesome qualities; who does not reside intent on the effort to develop the aids to Enlightenment”, they would not be able to attain Enlightenment.

A Practitioner who is not practicing the Enlightenment factor of Investigation and Energy, would be unable to experience “the destruction of the taints, realize for himself with direct knowledge (experience), in this very life, the taintless liberation of mind, liberation by wisdom, and having entered upon it, resides in it”.

Investigation: (Dedicated examination, exploration, research, study, and questioning to learn The Teachings.)

Energy: (Effort, determination, ambition, initiative, motivation, vigor, and enthusiasm; willingness to do something.)

Detailed explanation of The Seven Factors of Enlightenment is available in this same book series found in Chapter 3 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).