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the matter is the seat of suffering. Then they develop disgust for matter. When they die they
become Arupa Brahmas, beings without material form in the open space called Arupa Brahma
realm. They live as continuous of consciousness high in the heavens for many kappa’s.
11.12. 3 From Brahma to Hog
Of the Brahmas born in the Brahma realm, the Ariya Brahmas (who have achieved Magga and
Phala) will not go downwards to the lower realms. They soar higher to become Arahats and
realized Nibbána. However, for Brahmas, who not yet Ariyas, they will have to descend to either
Deva or human abode at the exhaustion of their jhana power. However, they will not fall directly
into the woeful planes. Due to their past wholesome merit they become Devas or humans in the
next life. From these planes they, according to their own actions, may fall into the four woeful
existences and become animals, petas or sinners in hell.
In the cycle of samsara, ordinary worldly beings (puthujana) persons, although they reach the
highest abode of Brahmas are liable to fall into bad, lower planes, such as animal kingdom.
There is a saying, "Once a radiant Brahma; next a filthy hog." Being a human (puthujjana) is
very dreadful state. From the highest Brahmas realm, you might one day fall to the woeful
planes. A rocket, missile or a projectile will go skywards as long as there is propulsive energy
once the energy is spent, it must fall down again. So also sentient beings, at the exhaustion of
their jhana power must return to the lower abodes.
11.13 .What is Nibbána
It needs an entire treatise to explain Nibbána in full. In this book I shall give only a few hints,
since there is no room here for exposition of this important subject. Considering that it would be
wiser to leave out this subject entirely than to treat it in a superficial matter. I had not touch upon
it in the earlier editions. However, in order to provide some knowledge of Nibbána to the readers
starting from this 20th edition, I shall give extracts from Thingyo Tika dealing with upasama
nussati, contemplating on the peaceful bliss of Nibbána.
11.14 Meditation on Blissful Tranquility of Nibbana - Upasama Nussati
People usually talk at random about Nibbána. Some wrongly assert that Nibbána is a special case
of mind and matter. Some are mistaken that Nibbána is an eternal essence like a perpetual core,
which remains at the cessation of mind and matter. Another wrong view is that Nibbána
means no bliss because there is no mind or matter to feel any sensation at all. Just as a
sense can only be understood by those who have actually experienced it, the true Nibbána
can only be comprehended by Ariya persons who have actually realized the supreme bliss.
The human (puthujjana) persons cannot grasp in full the essence of Nibbána with mere
speculations. Nevertheless, I will try to the best of my ability to explain Nibbána in the light of
texts and in the lights of logical reason.
Nibbána is one of the Supreme Ultimate - it is independent of the other three ultimate truths -
(paramattha sacca), namely
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