Understanding Nirvana in Buddhism

[@danieltoo2008]

Great illustrations on Nirvana. Most people mistakenly thinks Nirvana as a place to arrive or final Heavenly destinations. But, first time through this video, I learnt that Nirvana is about achieving freedom from samsara. Nirvana is achieving liberation not a final destination called Nirvana. Thks OM!!

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks Daniel! Nirvana is a beautiful and inspirational part of Buddhism.

[@lifengliu5333]

Hi I have recently started watching videos and liked your videos! I am impressed with your in-depth knowledgeable and understanding of pure land Buddhism, and your amazing ability to explain rather complex and abstract concepts in a clear, and easy-understanding way. Well done!

[@AlanPeto]

Thank you! Hope you have been able to find a local temple or group near you to continue your path :)

[@loomingmenace6211]

Thank you for this video

[@AlanPeto]

My pleasure!

[@atmanand5802]

🌠Hari🌏Aum🙏🕉

[@alien1165]

In my research, it seems to me that the last stage of Nirvana (parinirvana) is only achievable at "the time of death" effectively making it impossible to attain in living form, i am curious to hear more about that if possible

[@AlanPeto]

Parinirvana is “final Nirvana”. Basically no longer arising in a new form after death. Nirvana is our natural state that we don’t see and cloud with our actions, etc. You wouldn’t want to or need to achieve parinirvana when alive. It’s just the outcome at the end for such an enlightened individual.

[@bongosock]

A very accessible presentation of the Theravadin account of Nirvana. However, Buddhism embraces more teachings than just those presented in the Theravadin tradition. It would be good to make it clear that that's where you're coming from :)

[@AlanPeto]

I’m a Mahayanist. This is also taught in Mahayana (all the Buddha’s teachings are present). There are many traditions in Mahayana, though. What do you feel is different?

[@bongosock]

@@AlanPeto The Theravada tends to blur the distinction between enlightenment and liberation. Liberation is the state in which one is no longer compelled to take rebirth due to karma and conflicting emotions. According to the Mahayana, liberation takes two forms: 1. the abiding nirvana of the arhats, who dwell in the peace of cessation; 2. and the non-abiding nirvana of the bodhisattvas, who may take on many births within the form and desire realms - to bring benefit to the sentient beings that live there - without straying from the peace of the dharmakaya. The Theravadins acknoweledge that, at the end of their path, they will not achieve the same result as Shakyamuni Buddha, but do not seem to make clear that that difference is between the liberation of the arhat and the enlightenment of a buddha.

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks! Abiding and non abiding nirvana is covered in my bodhisattva path video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5uqhWOebLp4Z5Yfeature=shared Different schools (even in Mahayana) and different sutras and abidharmas have different views on Nirvana. Ultimately, they all key in on a common view that it reveals our inherent true nature/face free of the three fires/poisons. The Yogacara School of Buddhism speaks of four kinds of nirvana: pure nirvana of inherent nature, nirvana with remainder, nirvana without remainder, and nonabiding nirvana.

[@susilperera5747]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@mzenjekomakoma3784]

So it might be correct to assume as babies we're born in a state of nirvana and then the environment we're born into teaches and instills samsara into us and now the go is to regain our original self ?!!

[@AlanPeto]

Great question. No, babies are not in a state of nirvana because even they are marked with the conditions of impermanence and the unsatisfactoriness of this new existence they are in (dukkha). They feel hunger, cold, hot, pain, growth, etc., at a very minimum. While their minds are on the journey to grow as they get older, they of course have the potential for awakening and to realize nirvana. It's the ability to understand our condition, world, and how to respond to that, can help us with enlightenment and nirvana. A baby, while still new to the world, unfortunately is still caught in samsara and dukkha with this existence (we could argue it's different than what an older child or adult may experience), but it's still dukkha because nirvana is still not their current state [yet].

[@CrawlingAxle]

So, what happens to consciousness of someone who has achieved Nirvana - after their death?

[@AlanPeto]

Generally, in Theravada, that’s it. If we are talking about parinirvana or “final nirvana”. In Mahayana, one of the three bodies of a Buddha can still exist (dharma body) but don’t look at it as like an heaven or spirit type thing. It’s not where we directly interact. No matter what, with parinirvana, there is no forced rebirth because one has broken the “chains” of karma doing that to them.

[@giacomo8875]

I have a question, when a person who have reached nirvana dies, what will he become after?

[@AlanPeto]

Good question! Essentially, there are different levels of attainment, but one that is fully enlightened and realizes nirvana, can achieve "parinirvana" or "final nirvana" like the Buddha. This is where they no longer are forced in the cycle of birth and death. In one way, this means 'that is it'. In another, such as in Mahayana, it just means there is no longer any physical rebecoming of karma/existence, but doesn't mean that a sort of 'body' of that essence ever goes away. It's a bit to wrap your head around, but nirvana (for laypersons like you and me) should be looked at as just rediscovering your true nature. Our existence right now is full of ignorance (of the Buddha's teachings), attachment/greed, and anger/aversion. This creates Karma which traps us. That's not our true nature. Our true nature is without those three things so we don't create the karma that traps us!

[@giacomo8875]

@AlanPeto Thank you for your detailed and kind answer.

[@teggerzz]

I’d like you to address something for me. I notice you talk a lot about the cycle of rebirth and I wonder what your understanding of that is. There is no reincarnation in Buddhism. Not the way people think of it. Before I share my view, I’d like to hear yours.

[@AlanPeto]

I have a video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYrQoWaCn9uGfKcfeature=shared

[@ethanjames1316]

Is it just death? Once you achieve Nirvana you just die and remain unconscious forever?

[@ethanjames1316]

Referring to Parnirvana here specifically I should clarify

[@AlanPeto]

Nirvana is realizing your true natural state free of the fires of greed, anger, and ignorance. Parinirvana is when an enlightened being's conditioned existence (five aggregates/skandhas) no longer exists. Now, this will vary with branch/tradition, but essentially one no longer is in the cycle of rebirth and won't have a future conditioned existence. Generally, Theravada would say "that's it". Generally, Mahayana would say "yeah, but..."....there are three bodies of a Buddha, and one of those sort of 'goes on', but does not ever have another conditioned body nor is it something we necessarily interact with. A bit complicated to respond to in a comment reply, but thinking of doing a video and podcast on this.

[@rafaelecattonar1506]

What is unclear to me is what really happens to a person who achieved Nirvana when he or she dies? I know that heavens and hells are impermanent places in Buddhism? Do Buddha, his disciples and everyone who achieved Nirvana go somewhere beyond heaven and hell? If Buddhism teaches the impermanence of everything wouldn't this place be impermanent, too?

[@AlanPeto]

Great question, Rafaele! There are several realms of rebirth, with the human realm as the best one because it allows for understanding the Dharma. Nirvana is the extinction of wrong views, perceptions, actions, etc., that has trapped one in the cycle of rebirth (due to, among other things, Karma with outflows...meaning that type of Karma chains them to the cycle). I like to refer to it as the blowing out of the Three Fires of greed, anger, and delusion, which can be seen as a root cause of Dukkha (via our karmic actions, rebirth, etc.). For a fully enlightened being, Nirvāṇa takes on another meaning when their physical body dies known as parinirvāṇa or final Nirvāṇa. Because they are no longer generating karma with outflows, they are no longer bound to the cycle of rebirth (Saṃsāra). At parinirvāṇa, they are no longer forced to “arise” in a new existence since they have eliminated the “conditions” that had been creating it. In Theravāda , there is only one type of Nirvāṇa which is firm in the Arhat’s mind as the “other shore” of Nirvāṇa. In Mahāyāna, the “static” concepts/labels of Nirvāṇa and Saṃsāra break down completely. One who realizes something called Non-Abiding Nirvāṇa is not “attached to” or “abides in” either. They are no longer caught in the cycle of rebirth (Saṃsāra) or limited to staying on the “other shore” (Nirvāṇa). Like a ferryman, they can come and go into the illusionary and conditioned world of “Saṃsāra” aiding others towards awakening.

[@vichetthim5223]

My question is when I’m our life span do we realise nirvana

[@AlanPeto]

Good question Vichet! Nirvana is realized when we have eliminated the belief in 'self', and the three fires/poisons of greed, anger, and delusion. So, after one becomes enlightened, they realize Nirvana (because they are now aware of the true nature of our world, and no longer caught in that delusion they had before - - the things that caused us to not realize Nirvana can no longer take us away from it). Now, more specifically to us - it is still a rare event to become enlightened, and then realize Nirvana. For you and me, that means probably not in our lifetime. But, the Buddhist path is about continuing to remove the fog of delusion from us so that in a future rebirth/existence, we will have the capacity to achieve it. This is what we saw the Buddha and his enlightened followers do!

[@vichetthim5223]

@@AlanPeto is that future reading you can kindly refer me either text or video on Buddhism, nirvana and samsara. I am in search for nirvana but could never find it and don’t think I will ever find nirvana in this life time

[@AlanPeto]

If you are a Buddhist layperson, the most important thing to do is keep practicing. The threefold training in Buddhism (Wisdom, Conduct, and Meditation) are what leads to enlightenment and Nirvana. Just like a really dirty window that has mud and dirt on it, you will never be able to see through it (and see Nirvana, for example), until you start cleaning it. And cleaning it can take a long time. As long as you have the vow and determination to stay on the path and practice, the Buddha said it is possible. If you have a Buddhist temple nearby, that would be a great place to start your journey!

[@-ss-8606]

I haven't reach nirvana yet but i have a deep insight of this world,close to nirvana but less. Let me say, this cannot be explained exactly even if you have all the time in the world unless you've reach the true insight

[@Shizzie-5k]

What to do if there is a buddhist temple with in driving distance! But everything is in Cambodian!!

[@AlanPeto]

Great question! That’s no unusual at all. Most Buddhist temples will be focused on serving those who go there…which means it’s culturally specific. With few exceptions this doesn’t mean you can’t go. It’s best to see if you can attend and get some guidance (instead of just showing up). Many times a layperson or volunteer who speaks English can guide you. And don’t worry about the language barrier. My temple and organization follows Chinese Buddhism, although it’s large so we have English translation. Even then, we chant in Chinese, etc. In many traditions they also chant in Pali or Sanskrit which are not languages even the laypersons speak! It’s about intent and practice, regardless of language :)

[@Nooneself]

Nope....Nirvana is the blowing out of the ego. When the ego is diminish or dissipated all experience is just observed without attachment. Best wishes

[@AlanPeto]

Thanks, Don, this was discussed at the beginning of the video.

[@AlanPeto]

Sariputra, one of the Buddha’s chief disciples, was once asked, “What is nirvana?” He answered, “The destruction of greed, the destruction of anger, the destruction of delusion-this is nirvana.”