![]() ![]() Nirvana, or the liberation from cycles of rebirth, is the highest aim of the Theravada tradition. When an Arahant attains Pari-Nibbāna after the dissolution of the body, without any remainder of any physical existence, it is called Anupādisesa Nibbāna Dhātu. When Nibbāna is realized in the body, it is called Sopādisesa Nibbāna Dhātu. These, in fact, are not two kinds of Nibbāna, but the one single Nibbāna receiving its name according to experience of it before and after death. The founder of Buddhism, the Buddha, is believed to have reached both these states. Sometimes, Nibbāna is referred to as Sopādisesa Nibbāna Dhātu (nirvana with a remainder) and Anupādisesa Nibbāna Dhātu (nirvana without remainder, or final nirvana). It is not produced like a mystic, spiritual, mental state, such as dhyana or samadhi. It would be ‘produced’ and ‘conditioned’. If it would be a result, then it would be an effect produced by a cause. But, in the same time, the extinction of the flames is the mean of attaining Nibbāna.Īnyway, some people say that it is incorrect to think that Nirvana is the natural result of the extinction of craving. Nibbāna, in one sense, may be interpreted as the extinction of these flames. Nibbāna is also explained as the extinction of the fire of lust (lobha), hatred (dosa), and delusion (moha). The Buddhist conception of Deliverance is the escape from the ever-recurring cycle of life and death and not merely an escape from sin and hell. However, Nirvana cannot be described as existing, not existing, both existing and not, or neither existing nor not. Nirvana can only be explained to the ‘unenlightened’ by negation. In fact, nirvana is almost unexplainable, and is not perceivable by the six senses. But those words or phrases really don’t explain nirvana. The concept of Nirvana (Sanskrit) or Nibbana (Pali) might be translated thus: ‘extinction’, ‘blowing out’, ‘freedom from desire’, the absence of dukkha or to cease. When all forms of craving are eradicated, reproductive Karmic forces cease to operate, and one attains Nibbāna, escaping the cycle of birth and death. “It is called Nibbāna in that it is a departure (Ni) from that craving which is called Vāna, lusting.” As long as one is bound up by craving or attachment one accumulates fresh Karmic activities which must materialize in one form or other in the eternal cycle of birth and death. ![]() This craving serves as a cord to connect one life with another. The Pāli word Nibbāna (Sanskrit – Nirvana) is composed of “Ni” and “Vāna”. Nibbāna is meant specifically as pertains gnosis that which ends the identity of the mind with empirical phenomena. The Buddha described the abiding in nirvana as a state of ‘deathlessness’ and as the highest spiritual attainment, the reward for one who lives a life of virtuous conduct. Gautama Siddartha reached Enlightenment at the age of 35, awakening to the true nature of reality, which is Nirvana (Absolute Truth). The concept of Nirvana was originally explained by the Buddha (566 – 486 B.C.). The Nirvana concept is often misunderstood and sometimes misused in the western world. In fact, the concept of Nirvana is much more wide and difficult to explain in mundane terms. Throughout the centuries, various scholars and philosophers tried to explain this concept using their limited knowledge. In this talk the term 'tṛṣṇā" is investigated and we see how the compulsive nature of blind thirst narrows our perspective and outlook on life and can trap us into harmful ways of thinking and being.The concept of Nirvana is more than 2500 years old. It is this thirst or craving (tṛṣṇā) which gives rise to rebirth.which is bound up with passionate delight and which seeks fresh pleasure now here and now there in the form of thirst for sensual pleasure, thirst for existence, and thirst for non-existence. This, O Monks, is the Truth of the Arising of Suffering. Why did the Buddha link desire to unhappiness and dissatisfaction? Animals obey their instincts in order to survive. If I didn’t obey my hunger I would starve. 1909 painting The Worship of Mammon, the New Testament representation and personification of material greed, by Evelyn De Morgan ©
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