Kusita-Arambhavatthu Sutta explains the grounds for the laziness and the arousal of Energy [AN 8:95].
As this Sutta says, there are 8 grounds for the laziness of a bhikkhu (monk).
A bhikkhu has to do some work: ‘I have some work to do. While I’m working, my body will become tired. Let me lie down.’ He lies down.
A bhikkhu has done some work: ‘I’ve done
some work. Because of the work, my body has become tired. Let me lie
down.’ He lies down.
- A bhikkhu has to make a trip: ‘I have to make a trip. While traveling, my body will become tired. Let me lie down.’ He lies down.
- A bhikkhu has made a trip: ‘I’ve made a trip. While traveling, my body has become tired. Let me lie down.’ He lies down.
- A bhikkhu has walked for alms in a village or town but has not gotten as much food as he needs, whether coarse or excellent: ‘I’ve walked for alms in the village or town but didn’t get as much food as I need, whether coarse or excellent. My body has become tired and unwieldy. Let me lie down.’ He lies down.
- A bhikkhu has walked for alms in a village or town and has gotten as much food as he needs, whether coarse or excellent: ‘I’ve walked for alms in the village or town and gotten as much food as I need, whether coarse or excellent. My body has become as heavy and unwieldy as a heap of wet beans. Let me lie down.’ He lies down.
- A bhikkhu is a little ill: ‘I’m a little ill. I need to lie down. Let me lie down.’ He lies down.
- A bhikkhu has recovered from illness. Soon after recovering: ‘I’ve recovered from an illness; I’ve just recovered from illness. My body is still weak and unwieldy. Let me lie down.’ He lies down.
Each time he lies down, but he does not arouse energy for the attainment of the as-yet-unattained, for the achievement of the as-yet-unachieved, for the realization of the as-yet-unrealized.
And there are these eight grounds for the arousal of energy. They are listed below as follows;
- A bhikkhu has some work to do: ‘I have to do some work. While working, it won’t be easy for me to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas. Let me in advance arouse energy for the attainment of the as-yet-unattained, for the achievement of the as-yet-unachieved, for the realization of the as-yet-unrealized.’
- A bhikkhu has done some work: ‘I’ve done some work. While working, it wasn’t possible for me to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas. Let me arouse energy….’
- A bhikkhu has to make a trip.: ‘I have to make a trip. While traveling, it won’t be easy for me to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas. Let me in advance arouse energy….’
- A bhikkhu has made a trip: ‘I’ve made a trip. While traveling, it wasn’t possible for me to attend to the teaching of the Buddhas. Let me arouse energy….’
- A bhikkhu has walked for alms in a village or town but has not gotten as much food as he needs, whether coarse or excellent.: ‘I’ve walked for alms in a village or town but didn’t get as much food as I need, whether coarse or excellent. My body is light and wieldy. Let me arouse energy….’
- A bhikkhu has walked for alms in a village or town and has gotten as much food as he needs, whether coarse or excellent.: ‘I’ve walked for alms in the village or town and gotten as much food as I need, whether coarse or excellent. My body is strong and wieldy. Let me arouse energy….’
- A bhikkhu is a little ill.: ‘I’m a little ill. It's possible that my illness will grow worse. Let me in advance arouse energy….’
- A bhikkhu has recovered from illness. Soon after recovering.: ‘I’ve recovered from illness, just recovered from illness. It is possible that my illness will return. Let me in advance arouse energy for the attainment of the as-yet-unattained, for the achievement of the as-yet-unachieved, for the realization of the as-yet-unrealized.’
Each time ee arouses energy for the attainment of the as-yet-unattained, for the achievement of the as-yet-unachieved, for the realization of the as-yet-unrealized. This is the eighth ground for arousing energy. "These are the eight grounds for arousing energy."
Although this Sutta mentions the word 'Bhikku', most of the grounds of laziness are common to any human, and also the arousal of Energy can be practiced by everyone to fight against the laziness.