The Lord Buddha's Daily Routine:
The Lord Buddha's daily routine was divided into five parts:
* The morning session (Perabath Kisa)
* The afternoon session (pasubath kisa)
* The first watch (Perayam kisa)
* The middle watch (Madiyam kisa)
* The last watch (Pasuluyam kisa)
1. The Morning Session (4.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon) : The Lord
Buddha would get up at 4.00 a.m. and as soon as he had had a wash would sit for
meditation & then he would look around the world with Great compassion from
his mental eye to see if anybody needed help. When appropriate time arrived,
the blessed one would put on his robe and either go out and help the needy or
alms round. When on alms round the Buddha would go from house to house, eyes
fixed to the ground, receiving in silence any food that was put into his bowl.
Sometimes he would go with his disciples, who would walk behind him in single
file. Often people would invite buddha to their houses to offer alms during
noon.
2. The Afternoon Session (12.00 noon to 6.00 p.m.) : In the
afternoon the monks would usually go to the Buddha to ask questions and be
taught and advised. The Buddha would then retire to his room and look around
the world with his mental eye to see if anyone was looking for his help. He
would then go and meet people who were waiting for him. He would teach to them
in such a way that everybody felt that the Buddha was teaching to each one of
them separately, "giving joy to the wise, promoting the intelligence of
the average people and dispelling the darkness of the dull-witted".
3. The First Watch (6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.) : During this
time the followers would come again to the Buddha, either listen Dhamma or ask
questions to clarify their doubts. The blessed one normally preach Doctrine
during this period to monks & laities gathered in Damsaba Mandapa(Dhamma
Hall).
4. The Middle Watch (10.00 p.m. to 2.00 a.m.) : During this
period the deities would seize the opportunity to go to see the Buddha and
learn the truth of life. The Buddha, on answering their questions, would
complete the middle watch of the night.
5. The Last Watch ( 2.00 a.m. to 4.00 a.m.) : For the first
hour the Buddha would walk up and down meditating and freeing himself from the
discomfort of sitting all day. He then would sleep for an hour.
Thus we can see the Lord Buddha was busy the whole day. In
fact he only slept one hour each day during this 45 years of teaching. During
the early hours of the day he saw the whole universe, blessed it with his
boundless love and brought happiness to millions.
May all beings be well & happy and attain the fruits of
Nibbana.
Suranda Weediyage
BA, Tripitakachariya, Dip in Pali/ Buddhism (Pali & Buddhist University of Sri Lanka), HNDBF,
surandalk@gmail.com
http://www.thebuddhadhamma.wordpress.com
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