Title: Nirvana
Nicholas - March 18, 2007 03:46 PM (GMT)
In the Buddha's Words by Bhikkhu Bodhi, pp. 364-65 has a sutta giving over 30 synonyms for Nirvana or Nibbana. First a simple definition:
"The destruction of lust, hatred and delusion: this is called Nibbana."
Any of these synonyms can be used in place of Nibbana:
the taintless... the truth... the far shore... the stable... the undisintegrating... the unmanifest... the peaceful... the deathless... the destruction of craving... the secure... dispassion... purity... freedom... nonattachment... the refuge...
dan020350 - March 30, 2007 03:50 AM (GMT)
Tell you the truth, for me there is no nirvana. It is just a word that describe or recognize the unknown, bliss, or tao, nothingness.
What ever word you use or no matter what knowledge you seeking, there is no nirvana in it. You must seek it out without reading books.
Nicholas - November 9, 2007 04:48 AM (GMT)
You can do nothing better than to study the two doctrines -- of Karma and Nirvana -- as profoundly as you can. Unless you are thoroughly well acquainted with the two tenets -- the double key to the metaphysics of Abidharma -- you will always find yourself at sea in trying to comprehend the rest. We have several sorts of Karma and Nirvana in their various applications -- to the Universe, the world, Devas, Buddhas, Bodhisatwas, men and animals -- the second including its seven kingdoms. Karma and Nirvana are but two of the seven great MYSTERIES of Buddhist metaphysics...
Mahatma letter 16
ChristianMyst - November 14, 2007 12:56 AM (GMT)
I just heard the term para-Nirvana, in a brief discussion re: Tibetan Buddhism. Is it logical that there can be a higher state of awareness than Nirvana?
Nick the Pilot - November 14, 2007 03:48 AM (GMT)
Christian,
Yes, there are levels above Nirvana. One list of levels goes Nirvana, Parinirvana, Mahaparinirvana, etc.,
Nicholas - November 14, 2007 04:31 PM (GMT)
Even within Nirvana there are differences:
There are 4 types of Nirvana:
Nirvana of the pure, clear self-nature: possessed by all beings and to be re-discovered
Nirvana with residue attachment: afflictions are gone but the physical life and body still there
Nirvana without residue attachment: all residue are gone; this is a Nirvana without residue
Nirvana of no dwelling: all kinds of obstacles are gone; this is also a Nirvana without residue.
From Buddhist Door
DavidC - May 13, 2008 06:05 AM (GMT)
Besides Nirvana being called peaceful, could it not be called loving? This is what I think is the hierarchy of emotions (note there are as many as dimensions of the emotional world :)
love (absence of which is fear)
peace (absence of which is anger)
happiness (absence of which is sadness)
like (absence of which is hate)
Love is also called charity, and they are a virtue. Arhats practice peace and some degree of love, but bodhisattvas practice more love, and one must surpass that stage to reach Nirvana.
Nick the Pilot - May 13, 2008 05:09 PM (GMT)
David,
You asked,
"Besides Nirvana being called peaceful, could it not be called loving?"
--> I see this as an important difference between Theosophy and Buddhism. Buddhism seems to be saying that Nirvana is the extinguishing of the entire person. It also seems to be saying that Nirvana is similar to a Heaven-like rest period.
Theosophy takes a different view. Nirvana is seen as the extinguishing of the lower principles of a human being. (They are, in fact, completely extinguished — this is where the idea of "extinguishing" comes from.) The higher principles remain intact, and become much more forceful.
I see Nirvana as a "place" of great activity. (I do not see it as a Heaven-like place of rest.) The way I see it, we will do nothing but go around and do nice things for people once we "enter" Nirvana. To me, this is the very definition of ultimate love.
Finally, I see Nirvana and Heaven as quite different, I feel both "happen," and I see no conflict between the two concepts at all.
Nicholas - August 3, 2008 11:15 PM (GMT)
There is no "extinguishing of the entire person" in Buddhism otherwise the existence of buddhas, bodhisattvas, arhats & pratekyabuddhas, who all experience nirvana, would be impossible.
Here is a good definition:
| QUOTE |
Nirvâṇa means extinction of afflictions, tranquil extinction, or liberation from karmic rebirth, because one has realized the emptiness of self and its afflictions. The four nirvâṇas include
(1) the nirvâṇa of self-nature, which is the Buddha mind that every sentient being has but has not realized;
(2) the nirvâṇa with existence remaining, which refers to the enlightenment of an Arhat or a Pratyekabuddha who is still living in his present body;
(3) the nirvâṇa without existence remaining, which occurs after the bodily death of an Arhat or a Pratyekabuddha, who will never again be reborn unless he turns around to endeavor for Buddhahood; and
(4) the nirvâṇa that abides nowhere, which is the supreme enlightenment of a Buddha. The great nirvâṇa of a Buddha includes the realization of the eternity, bliss, self, and purity of the Tathâgata and His attainment of powers unavailable to an Arhat or a Pratyekabuddha. Beyond the duality of existence and nonexistence, saṁsâra and nirvâṇa, a Buddha continues to respond in the most suitable form to the needs of sentient beings, thus abiding nowhere. |
mensagitat - August 4, 2008 01:28 AM (GMT)
(3) the nirvâṇa without existence remaining, which occurs after the bodily death of an Arhat or a Pratyekabuddha, who will never again be reborn unless he turns around to endeavor for Buddhahood;
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The above sheds more light on a topic that arose in the "What is it that reincarnates" thread.