Arahants live mainly to help others attain Nibbana.
- Until the death of their physical bodies, they would have to bear any discomforts, pains, and sicknesses that come naturally to any human body. As long as those are not overbearing, they are willing to live to help out others.
- However, sometimes, they may come down with an illness that brings them so much suffering they are unable to help others. In such cases, it serves no purpose for them to live any longer.
- There are accounts of a few Arahants who decided to end their lives because they had come down with unrecoverable illnesses, and the Buddha approved such decisions.
- In the case of Venerable Dabba, he came to the Buddha and asked for permission to end his life. But a specific reason is not given. See “Paṭhamadabba Sutta (Ud 8.9).” Jittananto quoted the “Dutiyadabba Sutta (Ud 8.10), ” the next sutta in that series.
