Buddha’s Day Was Divided Into 5 Sessions
1. The Forenoon
Session (6a.m. – 12 noon)
Spiritual Assistance to all Beings;
As a rule, He went in search of the Vicious and the Impure; e.g. Anguilimala,
and the Wicked Demon Alavaka. The Pure and Virtuous came in search of
Him, e.g. Visakha, Anathapindika ‘the generous millionaire’ and Intellectual
Sariputta and Moggallana came up to Him for Spiritual Guidance.
Immediately after Lunch
2. The Afternoon Session (12 noon – 6 p.m.)
Buddha takes a seat in the Monastery. Bhikkhus assemble to listen to
Dhamma. Some approach Him for suitable objects of meditation, others
retire to their cells.
After Discourse, He retires to His Perfumed Chamber to rest.
Attains to the Ecstasy of Great Compassion, surveys the World with His
Divine Eye, provides spiritual advice to Bhikkhus, admonishes the erring
disciples and retires to His Chamber.
Evening
Lay followers flock to Him to hear the Dhamma. Buddha preaches for
one hour. As a rule, Buddha converts others through homely illustrations
and parables, appealing more to the intellect than to emotion.
Only on rare occasions as in the case of Anguilimala and Khema did the
Buddha resort to His Psychic Powers to effect a change of Heart in His
Listeners.
3. The First Watch (6 p.m. – 10 p.m.)
Exclusively reserved
for instructions to the Bhikkhus :-
Questions on the intricacies
of the Dhamma;
Suitable objects of meditation;
Clarification of doubts.
4. The Middle Watch (10 p.m. – 2 a.m.)
Celestial Beings such as Devas and Brahmas question Him on the intricacies
of the Dhamma. Several discourses and answers given to their queries recorded
in Samyutta Nikaya.
5. The Last Watch (2.a.m. – 6 a.m.)
The wee hours of the morning comprise of :-
2-3 a.m. – Paces, as a mild
form of exercise;
3-4 a.m. – Sleeps mindfully on the
right side;
4-5 a.m. – Attains to the Fruit of
Arahantship and enjoys Nibbanic Bliss;
5-6 a.m. – Attains the Ecstasy of Great
Compassion radiating thoughts of loving kindness towards all Being and
surveys the World with His Buddha Eye to see if He could be of service
to any. |