The Buddhist Concept of Nirvana

1) The Meaning of Nirvana:

Nirvana represents a transcendent state in Buddhism, in which there is no suffering, desire, or sense of self, and the subject is free of the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents Buddhism’s ultimate goal. Complete relief from pain; a blissful state attained through realization of sunyata; enlightened experience… Nirvana is a place or state of complete happiness or peace. How people feel after hours of meditation is an example of nirvana. Heaven is an example of nirvana.

2) Buddhist practice of Meditation:

Meditation is a mental and physical process by which a person separates themselves from their thoughts and feelings in order to become fully conscious. It is practiced in almost all religions, though some do not use the term “meditation” to describe their specific meditative or contemplative practice. Meditation does not always include a religious component. It is a normal part of the human experience, and it is increasingly being used as a therapy to promote good health and boost the immune system. Anyone who has looked at a beautiful painting or a sunset and felt calm and inner joy, while their mind clears and their perception sharpens, has had a taste of the realm of meditation. Meditation’s success requires simply being – not judging, not thinking, just being aware, at peace, and living each moment as it unfolds.

In Buddhism, the person meditating is not attempting to enter a hypnotic state or communicate with angels or other supernatural beings. Meditation engages both the body and the mind. For Buddhists, this is especially important because they want to avoid what they call ‘duality,’ so their method of meditation must involve both the body and the mind as a single entity. Meditation, in its broadest sense, is a method of controlling the mind so that it becomes peaceful and focused, and the meditator becomes more aware. Meditation’s goal is to stop the mind from racing around in an aimless (or even purposeful) stream of thoughts. The goal of meditation, according to many, is to calm the mind. There are several methods of meditation that have been used for a long time and have been proven to work. People can meditate alone or in groups. Meditating in a group, such as at a sesshin retreat or in a meditation room or zendo, has the benefit of reminding a person that they are part of a larger Buddhist community as well as a larger community of beings of all species.

When we are consumed by craving or aversion, we experience the world very differently than when we are overflowing with generosity and kindness. Buddhist meditation is an invitation to shift one’s attention away from the world of activity and toward the inner experience of thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. Buddhists define meditation as mental states such as calm, concentration, and one-pointedness (which comprises the six forces: hearing, pondering, mindfulness, awareness, effort and intimacy).

3) How to reach Nirvana:

We can all achieve nirvana and become enlightened, according to the Buddha. Whatever the enlightened state is like, the Buddha seemed to have a fail-safe method for assisting us in reaching that “awakened” state. The Buddha, formerly known as Prince Siddhartha, is a credible speaker on this topic because his name essentially describes his qualifications. The term “buddha” refers to a person who has been awakened. Despite the fact that he was not the only buddha, Prince Siddhartha became the proclamation of awakening. Before the prince became the Buddha, the concept of a Buddha was widely accepted in India. The prince was given the title “The Buddha” because he was the one who awakened and created a belief system to achieve nirvana; the state of infinite bliss and oneness with everything, whatever that is supposed to mean! That belief system swept the world and evolved into what is now known as Buddhism.

The belief system that the Buddha taught after attaining enlightenment was known as the Four Noble Truths, which included the Eightfold Path. This Eightfold Path is the foundation of the Buddha’s teaching and consists of an 8-step methodology for attaining enlightenment and awakening. In that order, the eight-fold path can be summarized as cultivating the right views, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration. What a handful he is. This eight-fold method is not as simple as it appears. Actually, it’s a lot easier than it sounds. Despite the fact that there aren’t a lot of buddhas around right now. Humans reaching their full potential as buddhas appear to be a rare occurrence given the universality that it is attainable by all.

4) Buddhist sayings on Nirvana:

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” – Buddha

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” – Buddha

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” – Buddha

“Greater in battle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men, is he who would conquer just one – himself. Better to conquer yourself than others.” – Buddha

“May all that have life be delivered from suffering.” – Buddha

“If the selflessness of phenomena is analyzed and if this analysis is cultivated, it causes the effect of attaining nirvana. Through no other cause does one come to peace.” – Buddha

“This I tell you: decay is inherent in all conditioned things. Work out your own salvation, with diligence.” – Buddha

“Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.” – Buddha

“Victory breeds hatred. The defeated live in pain. Happily the peaceful live, giving up victory and defeat.” – Buddha

“What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create.” – Buddha