Forgetful in Mindfulness

Translated by E. M. Hare

[1][olds] Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

'Yes, lord,' they replied;
and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, there are these five disadvantages
to one who,
forgetful in mindfulness,
not self-possessed,
falls asleep.

What five?

Badly^[1] he sleeps,
badly he wakes,
he sees evil visions,
devas guard him not,
and impurity^[2] is emitted.

Verily, monks, these are the five disadvantages
to one falling asleep,
forgetful in mindfulness,
not self-possessed.'

"Monks, there are these five advantages
to one falling asleep
set in mindfulness.

What five?

He sleeps well,
he wakes well,
he sees no evil visions,
devas guard him,
and impurity is not emitted.

Verily, monks, these are the five advantages
to one falling asleep
set in mindfulness.

^[1] Cf. A. iv, 150: v, 342; J. ii, 61; Mil. 198; Vism. 311.

^[2] Asuci Childers, quoting Abhidhāna-p-padīpikā 'semen virile.'