眠くなる
To feel sleepy
2024-05-05 18:00:00
Whether reading scriptures or engaging in quiet contemplation/introspection, you may find yourself feeling sleepy during Buddhist practice.
And frankly speaking, there is absolutely no need to be concerned about it.
If you feel sleepy, you can simply interrupt your practice and go to sleep, or return to your daily activities.
In fact, Buddhist practice is nothing more than an inquiry into states of being that one is completely unfamiliar with, so it's perfectly natural for your mind to tire and feel sleepy.
Conversely, if one feels more alert or exhilarated as they engage in Buddhist practice, it serves as evidence that it falls within the realm of worldly actions, indicating that they are merely practicing within the confines of worldly concepts.
True Buddhist practice should go beyond worldly concepts, with activities such as reading scriptures or engaging in contemplation and introspection serving as examples.
Therefore, when reading scriptures, it is meaningless to try to understand their contents rationally.
Also, even if one reads and memorizes all or part of the contents of the scriptures, it does not constitute Buddhist practice.
The reason reading scriptures constitutes Buddhist practice is because it is believed to serve as nourishment for enlightenment.
Feeling sleepy while reading scriptures, one then goes to bed.
The next day, one reads scriptures again, feels sleepy once more, and goes to bed.
The fact that there is a consistent motivation to continue this repetition is the sole basis for it constituting Buddhist practice.
Of course, this applies equally to possible contemplation/introspection and other forms of practice.
As the Buddhist practitioner continues in this manner, merits accumulate gradually, leading to conditions for enlightenment, and eventually attaining enlightenment (= liberation).
This is nothing but the entirety of Buddhist practice and its fulfillment.
The important thing is the earnest desire of the practitioner to know the truth.
If there is no doubt about this point, then there is no need to worry about feeling sleepy during practice—it becomes an inconsequential matter.
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