พระอาจารย์อธิบายว่าเมื่อหลับ ดวงสติจะหายไป ทำให้ไม่มีดวงกุศลเหนี่ยวนำบุญให้ไหลผ่าน แต่ไม่ต้องกังวลมากเกินไป เพราะกระแสบุญจากการบูชาข้าวพระยังไหลต่อเนื่องได้อีก 7 วัน สิ่งสำคัญที่สุดคือการมีสัมมาทิฏฐิและสิ่งแวดล้อมที่เหมาะสม ซึ่งจะช่วยให้สัดส่วนของกุศลในตัวเราเพิ่มขึ้นอย่างต่อเนื่องThe teacher explains that falling asleep means the sphere of mindfulness disappears, so there's no wholesome sphere to draw merit through — but there's no need to worry too much, since the stream of merit from the offering continues flowing for another seven days. What matters most is right view and a supportive environment, which steadily increase the proportion of wholesomeness within us.
A lay follower asked: the teacher's mentor once taught that one shouldn't fall asleep during the offering of rice to the Buddha image — what exactly does someone who falls asleep during that time miss out on? Which part matters most, and how serious is it really?
Why Falling Asleep Means Missing the Stream of Merit
The teacher explained that when we fall asleep, the stream of merit stops flowing, because merit can only flow through a sphere of awareness — a sphere of , a sphere of wholesomeness that has been established. Once asleep, the sphere of mindfulness disappears, leaving no wholesome sphere to draw the pure merit-substance, along with its refined treasure and completed blueprint, flowing through us. This pure energy — merit — is exactly what drives the system of wholesome , purifying us and increasing the proportion of wholesomeness while reducing unwholesomeness.
There's No Need to Worry Too Much
Even if we miss the brightest, most intense moment, merit continues flowing for another seven days afterward. We can return later to hold the offering and the Triple Gem in mind again. Merit gradually diminishes over that period, like coal that burns brightest and reddest on the day it's lit, then slowly cools over the following seven days. Unwholesomeness, for its part, is also working at full strength — even if we don't want to fall asleep, it may be beyond our control, because unwholesomeness carries considerable force, and each person's store of accumulated merit and perfection has its own limits.
What Matters Most Is Right View and Environment
Development depends on two things: right view (a correct and good attitude), which is internal, and a supportive environment, which is external. When our environment supports wholesomeness, we can develop a greater proportion of wholesomeness within us. Having teachers and students around us is a good environment, because it gives us the chance to reinforce and repeat our practice again and again, so it isn't forgotten. The greater the proportion of wholesomeness, the better our right view becomes in turn — everything ultimately rests on a foundation of right understanding.
Everything depends on the system of wholesome dhamma; we cannot accomplish it purely by our own effort alone. We need to build or seek out a supportive environment for our life, rather than leaving things purely to chance, because unwholesome nature is always trying to harm and destroy our life. Only wholesome nature brings genuine benefit — , growth, and the fulfillment of our aspirations.