Five people who sleep little at night and stay awake much.

AN 5.137 Appaṁsupati sutta - Little Sleep

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, appaṁ rattiyā supanti, bahuṁ jagganti. Katame pañca?

“|Bhikkhus,::::| these five sleep little at night and stay awake much. What five?

Itthī, bhikkhave, purisādhippāyā appaṁ rattiyā supati, bahuṁ jaggati.

1.) A woman longing for a man|, bhikkhus,::::| sleeps little at night and stays awake much.

Puriso, bhikkhave, itthādhippāyo appaṁ rattiyā supati, bahuṁ jaggati.

2.) A man longing for a woman|, bhikkhus,::::| sleeps little at night and stays awake much.

Coro, bhikkhave, ādānādhippāyo appaṁ rattiyā supati, bahuṁ jaggati.

3.) A thief yearning to steal|, bhikkhus,::::| sleeps little at night and stays awake much.

Rājā, bhikkhave, rājakaraṇīyesu yutto appaṁ rattiyā supati, bahuṁ jaggati.

4.) A king engaged in royal affairs|, bhikkhus,::::| sleeps little at night and stays awake much.

Bhikkhu, bhikkhave, visaṁyogādhippāyo appaṁ rattiyā supati, bahuṁ jaggati.

5.) A bhikkhu longing for |being unbound::release, liberation [visaṁyoga]||, bhikkhus,::::| sleeps little at night and stays awake much.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca appaṁ rattiyā supanti, bahuṁ jaggantī”ti.

These five sleep little at night and stay awake much.”

Qualities:

Craving

Craving

A driving ‘thirst’ that reaches out toward experiences, identities, or outcomes as the place to find satisfaction—“if only I had that.” It spins stories of lack, binds the mind to becoming, and invariably leads to suffering.

Also known as: wanting, yearning, longing, lit. thirst
Pāli: taṇha, abhijjhā
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Wakefulness

Wakefulness

A bright alertness of mind that remains clear and attentive, unclouded by dullness or drowsiness. It guards the senses and supports continuous mindfulness.

Also known as: lucidity, alertness, vigilance, watchfulness
Pāli: jāgariyā
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Last updated on July 9, 2026