What Is the Difference Between Falling Asleep and Falling into a Coma?

Sleeping is a state actively chosen by the mental faculty (manas). Generally, during sleep, one experiences a sense of tranquility and is able to rest peacefully in that state. If the mental faculty feels sufficiently rested or perceives a need, it decides to awaken. In contrast, falling into unconsciousness is a passive, unwilling state. Due to severe physical trauma, the six dusts (objects of sense perception) cannot be properly transmitted to the subtle sense faculties, causing the six consciousnesses to cease functioning. Consequently, the activities of the five aggregates must halt. When the mental faculty perceives this condition of the five-aggregate body, it is filled with anxiety and unwillingness, thus constantly seeking an opportunity to regain consciousness. Once the body recovers slightly, it struggles to rise and resume activity, only to collapse into unconsciousness again if the body proves too weak. Some individuals may even experience their soul leaving the body to inform family members or seek help from others. This demonstrates that the mental faculty is unwilling to remain unconscious and unable to utilize the five-aggregate body. It relies on the five-aggregate body for existence within the mundane dharmas, hence it clings to the five aggregates and six consciousnesses, unwilling to die or remain in a state of unconsciousness.