[246] "Bhikkhus, there are these four postures of lying down (seyyā). What four? The way the departed lie (petaseyyā), the way those who enjoy sensual pleasures lie (kāmabhogiseyyā), the way the lion lies (sīhaseyyā), and the way the Tathāgata lies (tathāgataseyyā).
"And what, bhikkhus, is the way the departed lie? For the most part, bhikkhus, the departed (petā) lie flat on their backs. This, bhikkhus, is called the way the departed lie.
"And what, bhikkhus, is the way those who enjoy sensual pleasures lie? For the most part, bhikkhus, those who enjoy sensual pleasures lie on their left side. This, bhikkhus, is called the way those who enjoy sensual pleasures lie.
"And what, bhikkhus, is the way the lion lies? The lion, bhikkhus, the king of beasts, lies down on his right side, placing one foot upon the other, tucking his tail in between his thighs. On awakening, he raises up the front part of his body and looks back over the hind part of his body. If, bhikkhus, the lion, the king of beasts, sees any part of his body out of place or sprawled, then, bhikkhus, the lion, the king of beasts, is displeased. But if, bhikkhus, the lion, the king of beasts, sees no part of his body out of place or sprawled, then, bhikkhus, the lion, the king of beasts, is pleased. This, bhikkhus, is called the way the lion lies.
"And what, bhikkhus, is the way the Tathāgata lies? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, secluded from sensual pleasures … enters and dwells in the fourth jhāna. This, bhikkhus, is called the way the Tathāgata lies. These, bhikkhus, are the four postures of lying down."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.