Zen on sleeping

[JoaoRodrigues]

I've heard somewhere, vaguely, I think on a Alan Watts lecture, long time ago, that zen monks, or, anyone who practices zen, have a guideline (possibly not the right word) on how to sleep, or, their sleeping position, don't know.

I've noticed that similarity, possibly a simple coincidence, on two distinct films.

Any information on that? Obliged.


Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left For The East (1989)


Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003)

[Svalaksana]

I unfortunately have no information on this, though I would be interested in it as well.

Nevertheless, I find Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring to be a fine film.

[jimmi]

I've heard somewhere, vaguely, I think on a Alan Watts lecture, long time ago, that zen monks, or, anyone who practices zen, have a guideline (possibly not the right word) on how to sleep, or, their sleeping position, don't know.

I've noticed that similarity, possibly a simple coincidence, on two distinct films.

Any information on that? Obliged.

Sustaining the alert, courageous curiosity that characterizes the zen intent of the wakeful time through into the sleeping time. Similarly, from life into death.

[humble.student]

You mean the sleeping lion posture? It's common to all traditions. https://discourse.suttacentral.net/t/li ... re/14360/6

[Tao]

Lion posture is sleeping on the right side of your body, recommended for dream yoga, but the pictures of zen masters in the first post are not in the lion posture.

[humble.student]

Lion posture is sleeping on the right side of your body, recommended for dream yoga, but the pictures of zen masters in the first post are not in the lion posture.

These are stills from movies, not documentaries.

[Astus]

'While sleeping, lie on your right side, not [on your back] facing straight upward, because this is called the dead man’s sleep. Sleeping [with your face down] is called indulgent sleep because it creates bad dreams.'
(The Baizhang Zen Monastic Regulations, BDK ed, p 280)

'When sleeping, the monk should lie on his right-hand side with his head on his right palm and with his left hand placed on his left hip as though carrying a knife.'
(Chanyuan qinggui, in The Origins of Buddhist Monastic Codes in China by Yifa, p 139)

'Definitely sleep lying on your right side and not on your left side. When you lie down your head should be towards buddha. Now [in the monks' hall] our heads are toward the joen, so our heads are toward Manjushri. Do not sleep lying on your front. Do not raise both knees and lie on your back. Do not sleep on your back with your legs crossed. Do not stretch out your legs together.'
(Dogen's Pure Standards for the Zen Community, p 65)