Why Nirvana

[VossistArts]

Ive talked with many people who, like myself, are drawn towards Buddhism. Quite a percentage of them speak of Nirvana, as if its something they wish to attain to. Some people make it sound like thats what it all about to them, period. I wonder why? Any here feel that way about Nirvana? Nothing much about the idea appeals to me for some reason. Im pretty involved in life as it is for me now, Ive learned to enjoy most of the kinds of challenges Im faced with, and even in the times I really dislike what life gives me, I always end up learning so much. When that happens, every single time, I think to myself how despite how horrible it might of been at the time, Id never change what happened, if I could. Nirvana sounds like... something entirely different ..I wonder, if anyone who has ever been confronted with finally attaining to Nirvana has felt a bit of hesitation or, disappointment. Probably not huh? But thinking about it now, if I could chose it, Im pretty sure I wouldnt. Why would I?

[Thomas Knierim]

VossistsArt: Ive talked with many people who, like myself, are drawn towards Buddhism. Quite a percentage of them speak of Nirvana, as if its something they wish to attain to. Some people make it sound like thats what it all about to them, period. I wonder why?

I have met many people like that. From my experience, it is often the result of an infatuation with Buddhhism based on a shallow understanding of the underlying philosophy and practice. This may sound a bit harsh, but I don't know what else it could be. People might confuse Nirvana with some sort of Über-heaven, and they seem to have a desire to escape from reality/normality to join this exotic paradise. I suspect it's a romantic/escapist impulse.

Of course, the attainment of Nirvana is the ultimate aim of Buddhist practice, at least from the Theravadian point of view. But , I am living in a Theravada country, and hardly anyone here speaks about Nirvana. It's considered a highly esoteric topic of little practical use. Monks tell people how to practise the eightfold path, how to meditate, how to make merit, how to behave. They don't tell people how to attain Nirvana. :lol:

Cheers, Thomas

[rich]

Ive talked with many people who, like myself, are drawn towards Buddhism. Quite a percentage of them speak of Nirvana, as if its something they wish to attain to. Some people make it sound like thats what it all about to them, period. I wonder why?

Nirvanna is similar to Heaven,( a goal in Christian belief) as a place where the souls of those who followed the teachings of Jesus will go when the heart
, in the physical body had, stops beating. In other words, a place to go to when we depart from this world.

I can understand why many people wish to attain to Nirvanna, or a Happier State of Being than the the Impermanence of an existence we experience in our present life. However, what I say now. is only one insignificant thought in a universe larger than anyone's imagination.

[Ryker]

Any here feel that way about Nirvana?Speaking strictly for myself, no.

Nothing much about the idea appeals to me for some reason. Im pretty involved in life as it is for me now, Ive learned to enjoy most of the kinds of challenges Im faced with, and even in the times I really dislike what life gives me, I always end up learning so much. When that happens, every single time, I think to myself how despite how horrible it might of been at the time, Id never change what happened, if I could. Nirvana sounds like... something entirely differentOne of the beauties is that you don't have to attain Nirvana. You are the master of your own fate & should you choose it, you may stay within this cycle for eternity, until perhaps at one point you decide that you wish to be finished with impermanence. Bodhisattavas for-go attaining Nirvana out of compassion so that they may remain here in samsara & help others throughout their lives.

..I wonder, if anyone who has ever been confronted with finally attaining to Nirvana has felt a bit of hesitation or, disappointment. Probably not huh? But thinking about it now, if I could chose it, Im pretty sure I wouldnt. Why would I?I couldn't possibly tell you with any kind of certainty, because I am far from being Enlightened, not to mention very little is actually written about it. Usually monks are not allowed to speak of attaining Enlightenment. However, the Buddha does describe Nirvana as "The highest happiness" & it is said to transcend space - making it infinite, & transcend time - making it eternal.

I have met many people like that. From my experience, this is often the result of an infatuation with Buddhhism based on a shallow understanding of the underlying philosophy and practice. This may sound a bit harsh, but I don't know what else it could be. People might confuse Nirvana with some sort of Über-heaven, and they seem to have a desire to escape from reality/normality to join this exotic paradise. I suspect it's a romantic/escapist impulse.Sadly, I would tend to agree with you. Many people today read up on a few basics & then decide that they want to be a Buddhist, yet never learn anything else. Sure, they've made a good start by starting easy & getting the basics down, but many don't realize the much more complex aspects of its philosophy.

Nirvanna is similar to Heaven,( a goal in Christian belief) as a place where the souls of those who followed the teachings of Jesus will go when the heart
, in the physical body had, stops beating. In other words, a place to go to when we depart from this world. I disagree. Nirvana is naturally a goal to practicing Buddhist teachings; however, I would differ in saying that it resembles Heaven. Since Buddhism essentially does not use a belief in having a "soul" - rather a "spirit" - I wouldn't think of it as being another place in which to be placed into. Though, I may have misinterpreted what you have said.

[Thomas Knierim]

rich: Nirvana is similar to Heaven, (a goal in Christian belief) as a place where the souls of those who followed the teachings of Jesus will go when the heart

That's what some people think, but it is a misunderstanding. Consider the following two things: (1) Buddhists don't believe in a soul. (2) Nirvana (nibbana in Pali) literally means 'extinction'.

Finally, one must consider that nirvana is only reached after countless rebirth in samsara and countless cycles of suffering. Buddhism is quite austere in this regard.

Those who want to go to heaven fast might want stick to Christianity or Islam.

:lol:

Cheers, Thomas

[locomotive]

I don't get that when you are enlightend you reach nirvana but still buddha didn't and was enlightend. could somebody clarify? What is this nirvana thing.

[MidnightSun]

Nirvana is a rock band. :)

[MidnightSun]

And they rock! :lol:

[Kether]

Buddhism essentially does not use a belief in having a "soul" - rather a "spirit"
What's the difference? I've read several times that Buddhism does not involve the belief in a 'soul' - yet surely it preaches that consciousness transcends the body? I thought that this was all that the belief in a 'soul' was, but maybe I misunderstand the meaning of the word in this context.

[Kether]

Thank you, Psyche.

The concept of the personality being 'clothing' that is superimposed onto an ultimate consciousness is one that resonates closely with me, although I consider environment rather than Karmic force the source of these, and I believe that it is limited to this life - for this life is the only one we have.

[Smurf]

you see i do not feel that way...i feel i have all the time there is...that i exist in eternity not in time...that a lifetime is like one breath...


you exist in the memory of others, you exist in the places you go the people you see the things you touch, you live in your breath that travels the wind to touch the corners of the world, you live in your ceaseless heartbeat that sends echoes throughout the land that you see before you, you live eternally in the reprocussions that you send out to beat the edge of the universe itself ...