Buddha's Daily Routine
Buddha's Daily Routine
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".
During this time, first watch (6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.), the followers would come again to
the Buddha to either listen or ask questions to clarify their doubts.
During this period the devas 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.
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
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.