Greetings Eikon,
Eikon wrote:The 6th and 7th make great sense to me, its just the 8th where I get a bit hung up. As I asked previously, I am wondering if this means that one should should sleep that night off of their bed, or if I am lost on this?
I practice in the Theravada tradition but we have these 8 precepts too... usually followed during retreat or on full-moon days, such as today.
A mattress on the floor would be adequate, as would a futon.
As a compromise to my family, I do not take this 8th precept on full-moon days at home, because my wife doesn't want my son getting any subliminal messages about the full moon, Daddy sleeping on the floor, and the female menstrual cycle. A pretty obscure reason I guess, but I'm happy enough to abide by it, because if I was completely honest, I find sleeping on a mattress on the floor more "comfortable and luxurious" than sleeping in a regular bed.
The precepts apply from dawn until dawn the following morning.
So not only can I not eat until midnight, but I can't eat until breakfast time.
Metta,
Retro.
Live in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes.