What is Nirvana?
Nirvana is a term used in Buddhism to describe the goal of the Buddhist path. It means “blowing out” or “extinction” of desire, hatred, ignorance, suffering, and rebirth. It is the ultimate spiritual state in which a person transcends samsara, the cycle of reincarnation, and realizes his or her oneness with the universe. It is sought through meditation and the extinction of individual consciousness. In this article, we will explore why practice nirvana, what do you experience when you are in nirvana, and how do you train yourself to nirvana.
Why Practice Nirvana?
Nirvana is the highest aim of Buddhism and the solution to the problem of suffering. According to the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, human existence is characterized by various forms of suffering (birth, aging, sickness, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, despair, etc.), which are experienced over the course of many lifetimes in samsara. The cause of suffering is ignorance, which leads to attachment, aversion, and delusion. These mental afflictions generate karma, which determines the quality of one’s rebirths in samsara. The only way to end suffering and rebirth is to eliminate ignorance and its effects by attaining nirvana.
Nirvana is also the state of ultimate happiness and peace. It is not a place or a realm, but a state of mind that is free from all defilements and disturbances. It is not a state of annihilation or non-existence, but a state of positive and dynamic reality that is unchanging, secure, and unconditioned. It is not a state of indifference or apathy, but a state of bliss and compassion that embraces all living beings.
What Do You Experience When You Are in Nirvana?
Nirvana is beyond ordinary conceptualization and description. It can only be directly experienced by those who have attained it. However, some aspects of nirvana can be inferred from the teachings of the Buddha and the testimonies of enlightened beings.
One aspect of nirvana is the cessation of suffering and its causes. When one attains nirvana, one no longer experiences any physical or mental pain or dissatisfaction. One also no longer generates any negative karma that would lead to future rebirths in samsara. One has completely uprooted the three poisons of greed, hatred, and ignorance that fuel samsara.
Another aspect of nirvana is the realization of emptiness and non-self. When one attains nirvana, one sees through the illusion of inherent existence and grasping at self. One understands that all phenomena are empty of independent nature and are interdependent on causes and conditions. One also understands that there is no permanent or substantial self that can be found in oneself or others. One has overcome the egoistic attachment and aversion that create suffering.
A third aspect of nirvana is the attainment of wisdom and compassion. When one attains nirvana, one acquires the perfect knowledge of all phenomena as they are, without any distortion or delusion. One also acquires the perfect compassion for all living beings, without any discrimination or partiality. One has realized the true nature of reality and the true nature of oneself, which are inseparable.
How Do You Train Yourself to Nirvana?
Nirvana is not something that can be achieved by mere wishful thinking or blind faith. It requires diligent practice and gradual progress along the Buddhist path. The Buddha taught various methods and techniques to help his followers attain nirvana, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Three Trainings, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, the Five Aggregates, the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, the Six Perfections, the Four Immeasurables, and so on.
The essence of these teachings is to cultivate morality, concentration, and wisdom. Morality involves observing ethical precepts that restrain one from harming oneself or others and promote harmony and well-being. Concentration involves developing mental stability and clarity that enable one to focus on one’s chosen object and overcome distractions and hindrances. Wisdom involves developing insight and understanding that enable one to penetrate the true nature of phenomena and eliminate ignorance and delusion.
By practicing these three trainings in an integrated way, one gradually purifies one’s mind from all defilements and progresses through various stages of realization until one reaches nirvana.
Nirvana is the ultimate goal and fulfillment of Buddhism. It is the state of liberation from suffering and rebirth and the state of bliss and compassion. It is possible for anyone to attain nirvana by following the teachings and guidance of the Buddha and his enlightened disciples. It is the most worthwhile and meaningful pursuit for any human being
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