San Mu Bu Pm GBM 3 Sk 80Lying Down
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sayana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Lying Down Discourse (Sayana)
Background
The Lying Down Discourse (Sayana) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, in the section concerning disciplinary rules for the community of monks and nuns. The context in which this discourse arose is connected with the Buddha's promulgation of rules to regulate communal life and protect the purity of the Sangha. The Lying Down Discourse addresses rules related to the lying posture of disciples in monasteries, especially under particular circumstances or in certain situations.
The Vinaya Piṭaka is divided into three main parts: the Sutta Vibhaṅga (the detailed explanation section), the Khandhaka (the collected chapters), and the Parivāra (the appendix). The Lying Down Discourse is one of the minor rules, yet it has profound meaning, reflecting the Buddha's carefulness in guiding the Sangha in practice. In the Buddha's time, bhikkhus often slept in public places such as monasteries, deep forests, or temporary shelters. Therefore, regulating the lying posture was not only a matter of observing moderation, but also an expression of respect for communal space.
Main Content
According to the tradition of the Pāli Canon, the Lying Down Discourse sets forth how bhikkhunīs should lie down when in public areas of the Sangha. The most important point is that one should not lie in a disordered or provocative posture, but should lie properly, purely, and in a manner appropriate to the dignity of one who has gone forth.
Specifically, disciples should not lie in an overly comfortable posture or stretch out their legs ostentatiously, for this is regarded as lacking discipline and contrary to the principle of suitability (sappāya). When lying down, a bhikkhunī should lie in the "lion's posture" (sīhaparivattasaya), that is, lying on the right side, with the legs straight and the knees naturally bent; this symbolizes calm and readiness to awaken quickly if something occurs.
The discourse also notes that bhikkhunīs should not lie in postures that may create a bad influence on others or cause distraction in practice.
🌏 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.