The fine-material-sphere plane comprises sixteen planes which are divided into four categories in accordance with the level of jhāna meditative absorption.
The difference of the divisions of this plane of existence is made in connection with the four jhānic stages of meditation. The plane of form consists of sixteen categories or sorts of celestial beings beginning from the lowest to the highest in hierarchical order. This hierarchical distinction cannot be fully comprehended without an understanding of the four stages of jhāna or absorption .Only those who have attained a certain level of jhāna are able to reach these planes.
Rūpa-jhāna, as described in the Abhidhamma Piṭaka, consists of four stages as follows:
(1) The first stage, called first jhāna (paṭhama-jhāna), consists of five jhānic factors, viz., vitakka (applying the mind to the object of meditation), vicāra (sustaining the mind in the object), pīti (the joy of pleasant sensation), sukha (ease), and ekaggatā (one-pointedness of mind).
(2) The second stage, called second jhāna (dutiya-jhāna), consists of three factor, , pīti,sukha and ekaggatā (vitakka and vicāra have faded away).
(3) The third stage, called third jhāna (tatiya-jhāna), consists of two factors, , sukha and ekaggatā (pīti has faded away).
(4) The fourth stage called fourth jhāna (catuttha-jhāna), consists of two factors, viz., upekkhā(equanimity of the mind) and ekaggatā (sukha has faded away).
There is no gender or sex in these planes, though all Brahmās have a male physical form. Moreover, they do not have the sense receptivity of the nose, tongue, and body,but they have only physical forms of these. As the physical forms of Brahmās are so subtle, they must turn their natural subtle body into a gross body, even when they visit to the sensuous blissful planes.
The First Jhāna Planes
Unlike rebirth in the lower planes of existence, birth or rebirth in the plane of form is caused by kamma that is definitely known.It is stated that the achievement of the first jhāna leads to three Brahmā planes: 1.Brahmapārisajja: members of Brahma’s assembly, it refers to the plane of the Brahma‟s retinue; 2. Brahmapurorita: it refers to the plane of the Brahma‟s ministers; 3. Mahābrahmā: it refers to the plane of the great Brahmā.Though these planes are the realm of the rebirth for those who have attained the level of the first jhāna, It is explained in the Vibhaṅga of the Abhidhamma Piṭaka that one who attains the first jhāna with the inferior strength of meditation will be reborn, after death, among the Brahmapārisajja gods.They have different lifespan in these realms due to the varying degree of the first jhāna. Brahmapārisajja is accessible to those who have developed first jhāna to a limited degree. Brahmās in this plane have the lifespan of a third of one asaṅkhyeyyaṃ. Brahmapurorita is accessible to those who have developed first jhāna to a medium degree. Brahmās in this plane have the lifespan of a half of one asaṅkhyeyyaṃ. Mahābrahmā is accessible to those who have developed first jhāna to a superior degree. Brahmās in this plane have the lifespan of one asaṅkhyeyyaṃ.
The Second Jhāna Planes
The higher, the subtler and the better sort of life and happiness than that of the being of the first jhāna plane is that of the beings in the second jhāna plane (dutiya-jhāna-bhūmi).It is believed that the achievement of the second jhāna leads to three brahmā planes:As in the first realm of the plane of form, the celestial beings of this second realm are of three different sorts.1. Parittābhā: it refers to the plane of gods with minor lustre orgods of limited radiance ; 2. Appamāṇabhā: it refers to the plane of gods with infinite luster or gods of unlimited radiance ; 3. Ābhassarā: it refers to the plane of radiant gods or gods of brilliant radiance .Gods in these planes despite being there due to their attainment of the second jhāna, have different lifespan.With regard to kamma that brings a person to rebirth in this realm, the Vibhaṅga gives a similar explanation as in the case of one who is born in the first realm. It is said that one who attains the second stage of rūpa-jhāna with the inferior strength of meditation will be reborn, after death, as a God of Limited Radiance, with the medium strength of meditation as a God of Unlimited Radiance, and with the highest strength of meditation as a God of Brilliant Radiance.The period of life of the Parittābha god is two aeons (kappa), of the Appamāṇābha god is four aeons and of Ābhassara god is eight aeons. These three types of celestial beings are said to live in the same plane of the realm.
The Third Jhāna Planes
The third realm of the plane of form is the third jhāna plane (tatiya-jhāna-bhūmi).It is mentioned that the achievement of the third jhāna leads to three brahmāplanes: 1. Parittasubhā: gods of limited beautiful splendor, it refers to the plane of gods with minor aura; 2.Appamāṇasubhā: gods of unlimited beautiful splendor ,it refers to the plane of gods with infinite aura; 3. Subhakiṇṇā:gods of refulgent splendor, it refers to the plane of gods with steady aura.The lifespans in these three planes are different because of the difference in the realization of the third jhāna. The differences between these three types of divine beings depend on the differences of the strength of meditation, as in the cases of the beings of the first and second realms discussed above.
The Fourth Jhāna Planes
The fourth and the last of all the realms in the plane of form is the fourth jhāna plane. It is the realm where those who attain the fourth stage of rūpa-jhāna are born. In this bhūmithere are seven sorts or groups of beings.1. Vehapphala: it refers to the plane of the gods of great reward; 2. Asaññasatta: non percipient gods, it refers to the plane of the gods with just rūpa and no nāma; 3. Avihā:durable gods, it refers to the plane of the durable gods; 4. Atappā: it refers to the plane of the serene gods; 5.Sudassā: it refers to the plane of the beautiful gods; 6. Sudassī: it refers to the plane of the clear-sighted gods; 7. Akaniṭṭha: it refers to the plane of the supreme gods.Whoever has developed the fourth jhāna are able to reach all these planes. In each of the former three realms, although the beings are classified into three groups, they are said to live on the same plane of the realm. However, in the fourth jhāna plane, different groups of beings live in different realms. Thus the fourth jhāna plane is sub-divided into six different realms as the abodes of seven different sorts of beings.
Further Reading
Diga Nikaya15.33./
Majjhima Nikaya 43.20./ 120./49./ 41.18-42;/ 120.19-32 /
Sanyuttha Nikaya 45:8;
Anguttara Nikaya 4:123./ 4:123./
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