Lzh Dg Bu Pm 2 Sk 87Lying Down
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sayana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Sayana Sutta: On the Manner of Lying Down
Background
The Sayana Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhu-Pātimokkha section, where the rules of early Buddhist practice for monastics are preserved. This Vinaya was laid down by the Buddha Gotama, Śākyamuni Buddha, in order to maintain discipline in the Sangha and help monastics practice in accordance with the Dharma. The Sayana Sutta in particular is one of the detailed guidelines on daily conduct, reflecting the Buddha’s Dharma’s concern with every detail of monastic life.
The manner of lying down (Sayana) may seem a simple matter, but in the spirit of Theravāda Buddhism, every action of a monastic carries deeper meaning. This scripture does not only regulate posture; it also reflects the basic principle of mindfulness and austerity in the renunciant life.
Main Content
The Sayana Sutta concerns the lying posture of bhikkhus, male monastics, in monasteries. According to the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, lying down is not a matter of arbitrary personal preference, but should follow certain principles. In particular, the Buddha instructed monastics to lie in the “lion’s posture” (Sīhaseyya), that is, lying on the right side, with the legs extended and the hand placed in a composed manner. This posture not only helps the body maintain balance and health, but also expresses readiness to rise at any time.
The scripture also emphasizes that lying down is not a time to let the mind become completely lax. Monastics are encouraged to maintain clear awareness (sampajaññā), even while resting. This relates to the teaching on the “four postures” (cattāro iriyāpathā): walking, standing, sitting, and lying down. Each posture is an opportunity to cultivate mindfulness and clear comprehension.
Moreover, this scripture prohibits actions connected with lying down that may obstruct or create disorder for other monastics, such as lying in shared places for too long or in an unclean manner. This expresses consideration and respect for the purity of the communal Sangha residence.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.