Why did Buddha passed away in fourth Jhana?

[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

[Dhammanando]

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.

[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.

[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.

[DooDoot]

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.

[SarathW]

Isn't Buddha at least in first Jhana most of his waking time?

[DooDoot]

Isn't Buddha at least in first Jhana most of his waking time?

Imo, no.

[SarathW]

Then what you called his mental state at a normal time.

[DooDoot]

Then 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?

[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]

it was his last lesson.

Good point Zom.

[budo]

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