Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

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SarathW
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Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

Post by SarathW »

I just wonder why Buddha attain Parinibbana in fourth Jhana.
Why not first or say second Jhana.
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.html
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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Dhammanando
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Re: Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

Post by Dhammanando »

SarathW wrote: Wed Nov 08, 2017 11:09 pm I just wonder why Buddha attain Parinibbana in fourth Jhana.
Why not first or say second Jhana.
Not "in the fourth jhāna", but after emerging from it.
“Like a traveller leaving home would bid all the family farewell with embraces and kisses, so the Bhagavā dwelled in the bliss of the absorptions to the full before realizing Parinibbāna.”
(Mingun Sayādaw, Great Chronicle of Buddhas, vol. V)
If the sayādaw’s right, then realizing Parinibbāna after emerging from only the second jhāna would not be dwelling in the "bliss of the absorptions to the full". It would be like a traveller departing after embracing and kissing only his sisters and his cousins and his aunts, but forgetting his parents and children.
Yena yena hi maññanti,
tato taṃ hoti aññathā.


In whatever way they conceive it,
It turns out otherwise.
(Sn. 588)
SarathW
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Re: Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

Post by SarathW »

It would be like a traveller departing after embracing and kissing only his sisters and his cousins and his aunts, but forgetting his parents and children.
Good analogy Bhante.
Interestingly he kissed Rupavacara three times and Arupavacara twice.
:D
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SarathW
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Re: Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

Post by SarathW »

Like a traveller leaving home would bid all the family farewell with embraces and kisses,
Yes, perhaps he kissed goodbye to them never to return again.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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DooDoot
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Re: Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

Post by DooDoot »

SarathW wrote: Wed Nov 08, 2017 11:09 pm I just wonder why Buddha attain Parinibbana in fourth Jhana. Why not first or say second Jhana.
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.html
The link says the Buddha emerged from the fourth jhana. My guess is the Buddha entered & emerged from each jhana to demonstrate his final words, namely: "All fabrications are subject to decay". That is, no fabricated state or world (loka), including any jhana, was worth cherishing & clinging to.
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.

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SarathW
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Re: Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

Post by SarathW »

Isn't Buddha at least in first Jhana most of his waking time?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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DooDoot
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Re: Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

Post by DooDoot »

SarathW wrote: Sat Nov 11, 2017 2:08 amIsn't Buddha at least in first Jhana most of his waking time?
Imo, no.
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.

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SarathW
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Re: Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

Post by SarathW »

Then what you called his mental state at a normal time.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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DooDoot
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Re: Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

Post by DooDoot »

SarathW wrote: Sat Nov 11, 2017 7:26 amThen what you called his mental state at a normal time.
I think the appropriate question is what do you think the 1st jhana is and why you think the Buddha dwells in the 1st jhana during normal times?
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.

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Zom
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Re: Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

Post by Zom »

I just wonder why Buddha attain Parinibbana in fourth Jhana.
Why not first or say second Jhana.
As I see it - it was his last lesson. You can either attain arahantship after attaining last arupa sphere (nirodha samapatti), or in/after 4th jhana.
SarathW
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Re: Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

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it was his last lesson.
Good point Zom.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
budo
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Re: Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

Post by budo »

Does this also mean that the formless jhanas (5 to 8) are not really special in comparison to the form jhanas?
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