四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 3.242

3.242

Twelfth, always sitting and never lying down. The Sarvāstivāda states: 'Sitting cross-legged is for making the mind upright. Then, once the body is straightened, because it differs from the tīrthikas, it inspires faith in people; thus people of the three vehicles all attain awakening through this posture.' The Vimuttimagga states: 'One never lies down at night.' As stated in the Viniscaya-rāja Sūtra, there are four dharmas: 'First, even for the snap of a finger, one does not give rise to anger toward sentient beings. Second, one should not allow sleep to cover the mind even for a single moment. Third, one guides sentient beings so that they obtain the merit of an āraṇyaka. Fourth, day and night one never parts from mindfulness of the Buddha.' The rest is as stated in the treatise. The Daśabhūmika-vibhāṣā states ten benefits: 'First, not craving bodily pleasure. Second, not craving the pleasure of sleep. Third, not craving the pleasure of bedding. Fourth, being free from the pain of having one's ribs touch the mat when lying down. Fifth, not following bodily desires. Sixth, easily attaining seated meditation. Seventh, easily reciting the sūtras. Eighth, having little sleep. Ninth, the body being light and easily raised. Tenth, having little desire to seek bedding and clothing.' In the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya, an āraṇyaka bhikṣu spread out fine bedding and slept comfortably. The Buddha said: 'You should not do so! In the initial watch and the final watch of the night, you should stay alert in mind and contemplate. The purpose of going forth is to preserve the essential means of liberation.' The methods of contemplation and practice are as explained later. The Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa states: 'Among the four bodily īryāpathas, sitting is foremost; food is easily digested and the breath is harmonized. For a seeker of the Way whose great matter is not yet accomplished, the thieves of defilement constantly look for an opening, so it is improper to lie down comfortably. If one wishes to sleep, one's ribs must not touch the mat.'