Wisdom Insight Letter No. 184
Q&A 36 Nibbana (Nirvana) is not something that can be acquired or reached?
Q: Some say that nirvana is not something that can be acquired or reached. So, how is nirvana experienced?
A: Yes. That's right. Nibbana (Nirvana) is not simply achieved through hard work or reached at a certain point. Many Buddhist practitioners aim for and speak of nirvana. The word nirvana was already used in Indian philosophy and practice tradition before Gautama Buddha. So, the majority of practitioners still talk about and believe in such an ideological nirvana.
We first need to understand the definition of Nibbana explained by the Buddha. We must be able to see the Buddha's birth, his reflection on his life, his journey of practice, and his liberation up to enlightenment.
Samatha, which was already achieved in traditional Indian methods, was an idea of absolute tranquility through concentrated meditation, and it was recognized that pain would one day follow again. Afterwards, he sat on the Bodhi tree and observed the natural flow of breathing, and gained insight into the realities as they are. He gained insight into how human life can be liberated and completely free from the pain of birth, old age, illness, and death.
Buddha's enlightenment is the Four Noble Truths. He realized that the root of the mind that caused suffering was the concept of craving and aversion, and that the root was ignorance/delusion that did not know that fact.
Rather than a limited quiet state through concentrated meditation as in existing Indian practices, this is the work of completely revealing the roots of ignorance, that is, a pure mind that leaves behind all notions is continuously aware of the eternal ultimate state.
Nibbana, as defined by the Buddha, refers to an eternal and immortal state in which no uncleanness occurs beyond the three sufferings.
That state is not something that is simply achieved through hard work or reached at a certain point, but something that can be recognized through awareness.
However, since we are on the path of purity, there will be a destination where we will reach that point someday. The destination is Arahantship, a stage where one can never be reborn as anything else. There are stages in enlightenment, such as Sotāpanna (stream-enterer), Sakadāgāmi (once-returner), Anāgāmi (non-returner), and Arahant, so I don't think there will be any problem in expressing that sometimes one reaches the destination.
You can understand that the reason for taking issue with the use of words is to guard against the concept about nirvana, which leads to expectations or delusions of obtaining or achieving a certain result, and from making a futile conceptual approach.
The important thing is to understand whether you are trapped in an idea or follow in the pure flow of Dhamma. Identifying Paññatti (concept) and Paramaṭṭha (ultimate reality) is the key to insight into Nibbana. (Refer to previous insight letters: Understanding about Paññatti & Paramaṭṭha No. 123, No. 124, No. 125)
Thinking that Nibbana is good and trying to reach for it, that is delusion, too. -U Tejaniya Sayadaw.
May all practice well and reach to Magga (道, the path of enlightenment) and Phala (果, the fruit of enlightenment) in this very life!
with Metta,
Ayya Kosalla
at Brahma Vihara Meditation Center in California
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The Korean Wisdom Insight Letter is here 지혜통찰편지.
Buddha Sāsanaṁ Ciraṁ Tiṭṭhatu!
May the Buddha’s teachings last a long time!
Bhavatu Sabba Sotiṁ ca Maṅgalaṁ ca!!
May everyone be led on the path of peace and blessing!!
Sādhu Sādhu Sādhu!
Sadhu 🙏🏼