Parinibbana only possible for humans beeings?

A forum for beginners and members of other Buddhist traditions to ask questions about Theravāda (The Way of the Elders). Responses require moderator approval before they are visible in order to double-check alignment to Theravāda orthodoxy.
Post Reply
User avatar
mirco
Posts: 450
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 2:12 pm

Parinibbana only possible for humans beeings?

Post by mirco »

Hi,

as far as I know, parinibbana is possible only for human beings becoming arahats
or anagamis, beeing reborn in suddhāvāsā and becoming arahats there.

Is that what the Suttas are telling?

Or did Buddha Gotama and/or other Buddhas also taught and had followers in deva-realms,
which then awakened and deseased from there, without having to become human again.

Does anyone know?


Be Well :)
santa100
Posts: 6814
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 10:55 pm

Re: Parinibbana only possible for humans beeings?

Post by santa100 »

There are many occasions in the Suttas where Devas appeared in front of the Buddha to receive His Teaching at night. Since a Deva is a highly evolved being with intellectual ability equal or greater than humans, they should be capable of attaining enlightenment just like humans. The only thing is that the Deva realms are blessed with so much beautiful and pleasant things, (unlike human realm where there's a more "balanced" mix of blessing and suffering), if Devas are not heedful, they'd tend to indulge in their own blessings instead of continueing with their Dhamma practice. This would be a big hindrance to the progress toward enlightenment. It's also similar to us humans, when an individual is blessed with so many things: beauty, wealth, fame, health, etc.. he/she would tend to indulge in those things and forget to practice the Dhamma, thus not able to make any progress on the Path..
User avatar
mirco
Posts: 450
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 2:12 pm

Re: Parinibbana only possible for humans beeings?

Post by mirco »

santa100 wrote:Since a Deva is a highly evolved being with intellectual ability equal or greater than humans, they should be capable of attaining enlightenment just like humans. The only thing is that the Deva realms are blessed with so much beautiful and pleasant things, (unlike human realm where there's a more "balanced" mix of blessing and suffering), if Devas are not heedful, they'd tend to indulge in their own blessings instead of continueing with their Dhamma practice. This would be a big hindrance to the progress toward enlightenment. It's also similar to us humans, when an individual is blessed with so many things: beauty, wealth, fame, health, etc.. he/she would tend to indulge in those things and forget to practice the Dhamma, thus not able to make any progress on the Path..
Thanks satan... uhm... santa,

yes, I have heard that before from various teachers, understand it and it sounds absolutely logical to me.

Is there any text in the canon/suttas describing this very circumstance?


Be well :)
santa100
Posts: 6814
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 10:55 pm

Re: Parinibbana only possible for humans beeings?

Post by santa100 »

For instances of Devas learning the Dhamma from the Buddha:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... x.html#sn2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For the Śuddhāvāsa Deva realm, where beings are destined to become Arhants:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_c ... ure_Abodes" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Post Reply