Significance of Nibbana
Nibbana, in Buddhism, represents the ultimate state of liberation and freedom from suffering, serving as the primary goal of Buddhist practice. It signifies the cessation of the cycle of rebirth and the end of suffering, often interpreted as enlightenment or nirvana. Nibbana is characterized as the highest peace and is achieved through understanding and adherence to the Noble Path. It embodies the ultimate realization sought by practitioners in their quest for liberation from the burdens of existence.
Synonyms: Nirvana, Liberation, Enlightenment, Awakening, Spiritual freedom, Transcendence, Ultimate reality., Spiritual awakening
In Spanish: Nirvana; In Dutch: Nibbana; In German: Nibbana; In Finnish: Nibbana
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Nibbana'
Nibbana in Buddhism signifies the ultimate goal of liberation from suffering, craving, and the cycle of rebirth, representing a state of supreme peace and emancipation achieved through profound insight into reality.
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) It is a state of bliss that can be attained through faith and the acquisition of jewels like generosity, morality, development of concentration, and insight; it is the ultimate goal following rounds of existence.[1] (2) "Nibbana" is referenced as the destination on the path shown to innumerable devas and humans by the Buddha during the second, third, and fourth vassa at Rajagaha.[2] (3) The text describes "Nibbana" as a state where old age, death, and fear are extinct, implying it is a peaceful and liberated state free from the sufferings of existence, which is the ultimate goal.[3] (4) The lion was recognized as having the potential to achieve this, along with the Path and Fruition.[4] (5) It is the Indestructible, a refuge where yokes and bonds are overcome, representing the ultimate reality and final goal, attainable through specific practices.[5]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) It is the supreme bliss. It is also referred to as Deathlessness and the unconditioned element. Realizing the nature of things leads to it.[6] (2) A fundamental concept in Buddhism referring to the ultimate, unconditioned state of liberation from suffering, characterized by the absence of desire and realization of true happiness.[7] (3) the state of cravinglessness and ultimate freedom attained through deep understanding.[8] (4) The ultimate goal of the Dhamma, representing the state of being free from suffering and impermanence.[9] (5) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the cessation of suffering achieved by the Buddha.[10]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) Nibbana is the cessation of dukkha, representing the third of the Four Noble Truths, and Nibbana is achieved through the practice of the Ariyan path.[11] (2) Nibbana, in the context of the text, is the total extinction of the nama rupa process and the complete end to dukkha, attainable on the Ariyan path.[12] (3) The passage mentions Nibbana as freedom from old age, sickness, and death, a state beyond the reach of reason and intellect, attainable through the middle way and vipassana practice.[13] (4) It is the cessation of conditioned suffering that the Arahat is always focused on after doing away with tanha.[14] (5) Nibbana is described as the extinction of nama rupa and is considered undesirable by some due to the arduous and painful path to achieve it.[15]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
(1) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering.[16] (2) The ultimate state of liberation and supreme bliss that one strives to attain in spiritual practice.[17] (3) The ultimate goal in Buddhist practice, representing the cessation of suffering and the end of the cycle of rebirth.[18] (4) The ultimate goal in Buddhist practice, representing liberation from the cycle of birth and death.[19] (5) Nibbana is a state of ultimate peace and liberation in the spiritual context, in which the virtuous may find true humility and lack of conceit.[20]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) The enlightened, disciplining themselves long, understanding the impermanence of life, will realize the Deathless State and attain peace.[21] (2) The ultimate state sought through the practice of moral Kamma, representing liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.[22] (3) The ultimate goal in Buddhist practice, symbolizing the liberation from suffering and the end of the cycle of rebirth.[23] (4) Nibbana is a supramundane state that is realized through the wisdom of the Four Paths and signifies a departure from craving, leading to the cessation of the cycle of birth and death.[24] (5) Described as the supra mundane reality and the summum bonum of Buddhism, distinct from the mundane realities of being.[25]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) This is the ultimate state of liberation and cessation of suffering, representing the goal of Buddhist practice, as realized by Vacchagotta after following the Buddha's instructions.[26] (2) The Buddha explained to the bhikkhus the path leading to imperturbability, the realm of Nothingness, the realm of Neither Consciousness Nor Non-Consciousness, and ultimately to this.[27] (3) This is the realization of the Noble Truth of Cessation, where craving is completely eradicated, and the heavy load of the five groups of grasping is finally discarded.[28] (4) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing liberation from the cycles of suffering, attachment, and craving.[29] (5) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the cessation of suffering and the end of the cycle of rebirth.[30]
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) It is the ultimate state of peace, representing the cessation of suffering and the end of the cycle of rebirth, achieved through understanding danger.[31] (2) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the state of liberation from suffering and end of the cycle of rebirth.[32] (3) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing liberation from the cycle of birth and death, achieved through deep meditation and insight.[33] (4) The ultimate state of liberation and peace, characterized as the noble truth of the cessation of suffering.[34] (5) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering.[35]
From: Patipada (path of practice)
(1) The ultimate goal, it is attainable through consistent mindfulness and attention in all postures and situations, giving hope and expectation to practitioners.[36] (2) Nibbana is a state of liberation, the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, where suffering ends, and is one of the three components of the Dhamma.[37] (3) This is the path, fruition, and Nibbana, which is the ultimate goal of the practice, the end of suffering, and the cessation of the cycle of rebirth.[38] (4) The ultimate goal of liberation in Buddhism, which Venerable Acharn was thought to have attained at the time of his death.[39] (5) The ultimate goal in Buddhist practice, referring to a state beyond attachment and relationships within the relative universe.[40]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life
(1) A type of reality that is an unconditioned reality, does not arise and fall away, is not a self, and is void of aggregates, representing a state free from suffering and impermanence.[41] (2) The ultimate state of liberation and the cessation of suffering, attained through the understanding and realization of the Four Ariyan Truths.[42] (3) The ultimate state of liberation and freedom from suffering, achieved through the eradication of ignorance and defilements.[43] (4) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, considered an unconstructed element devoid of self.[44] (5) The unconditioned state of liberation from suffering and the cycle of birth and death, marking the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice.[45]
From: Cetasikas
(1) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing enlightenment and the cessation of suffering, unconditioned by other phenomena.[46] (2) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the cessation of suffering and defilements.[47] (3) The ultimate goal of Buddhism, representing liberation from suffering, which can be obscured by sloth and torpor.[48] (4) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) and is a form of lokuttara dhamma.[49] (5) The ultimate goal in Buddhism; the cessation of suffering and the end of the cycle of rebirth.[50]
From: The Doctrine of Paticcasamuppada
(1) The ultimate state of liberation which is misunderstood by those holding certain wrong views.[51] (2) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the cessation of suffering and liberation from the cycle of Samsara.[52] (3) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, signifying the cessation of suffering and the end of the cycle of rebirth.[53] (4) A state of liberation and freedom from suffering, which some practitioners mistakenly believe can be attained through certain realms.[54] (5) Nibbana is the state of cessation and liberation from the cycle of rebirth, achieved when the relinking of Paticcasamuppada ceases.[55]
From: Mahavamsa
(1) The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, representing liberation from suffering, which the compilation of dhamma aims to preserve.[56] (2) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the state of enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.[57] (3) The ultimate goal of achieving liberation and ending the cycle of suffering, which the theras attained after their council.[58] (4) The ultimate goal of Buddhism representing freedom from suffering and the cycle of birth and death, which the Sage entered.[59]
From: Patthanuddesa Dipani
(1) It is an exception within the Buddhist view of the world, standing apart from the characteristics of impermanence, suffering, and lack of essence.[60] (2) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, related to the highest state of consciousness and the highest stage of the Path and Fruit of Arahantship.[61] (3) A state of ultimate peace and liberation, often regarded as the highest goal in Buddhism and a powerful natural sufficing condition.[62] (4) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the cessation of suffering and the cycle of existence.[63]
From: Patthana Dhamma
(1) Nibbana, derived from nirvana, signifies liberation from the binding effects of existence in the cycle of samsara.[64] (2) A state of liberation and ultimate peace, free from the bindings of samsara; represents a singular, absolute reality and the ultimate goal for Buddhists.[65] (3) An ultimate nama dhamma that can serve as an object of the mind and is strictly limited to the understanding seen only by specific lokuttara cittas.[66]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (4): Parivara
(1) A state of ultimate liberation and peace, seen as the goal of spiritual practice and training.[67]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks’ rules)
(1) Translates as 'waning,' referring to a state that suggests a realm of enlightenment or liberation, mentioned only twice in the Vinaya.[68]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka
(1) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.[69]
From: Catusacca Dipani
(1) The ultimate state of liberation free from suffering; it has various aspects including sa-upadisesa-nibbana and anupadisesa-nibbana.[70]
From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma
(1) Nibbana refers to the ultimate state of liberation and freedom from suffering, which can be classified into three types based on the planes of existence.[71]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) Nibbana is said to be absolutely advantageous benefit (paramattha); paramatthapattiya, for the attainment of that paramattha (nibbana), representing the ultimate goal.[72] (2) This is the element of immortal bliss, by means of which the young man Nalaka passed away completely, leaving no trace of upadi behind.[73] (3) The ultimate state of liberation and peace, free from cankers.[74] (4) The ultimate goal of Buddhism, representing freedom from the cycle of rebirth and suffering.[75] (5) The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, representing the state of immortal peace achieved after the cycles of rebirth.[76]
From: Bodhinyana
(1) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing a state of liberation, peace, and the cessation of suffering.[77]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The ultimate goal in Buddhist practice, recognized by Theravadins as the only asamkhata.[78]
Hindu concept of 'Nibbana'
Nibbana in Hinduism signifies the ultimate state of blissful self-consciousness, characterized by the absence of desires and attachments (Kama, Trishna, Moha, Dwesha) and liberation from all karmic influences, akin to Nirvana or Jeevanmukti.
From: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
(1) Nibbana, Nirvana, or Jeevanmukti, is the supreme and happiest state of self-consciousness, which is devoid of Kama, Trishna, Moha, Dwesha, etc., and free from all Karmas.[79]
The concept of Nibbana in local and regional sources
Nibbana is the ultimate goal of Buddhism, representing the cessation of suffering and the cycle of rebirth. It is attained through the Eight-fold Noble Path and reflects enlightenment, as emphasized in the teachings of Borobudur.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The blissful state of enlightenment aimed for by practitioners, which is a central theme in the message of Borobudur.[80] (2) The ultimate goal of Buddhism aimed at the cessation of suffering, achieved through following the Eight-fold Noble Path.[81]
From: Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals of Sri Lanka
(1) The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, representing the cessation of suffering and the cycle of rebirth.[82]
The concept of Nibbana in scientific sources
Nibbana, as taught by Ashin Garudhamma, is one of Buddhism's four ultimate truths. It relates to understanding consciousness, mental factors, and matter.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) Nibbana is a central theme in Buddhism developed from the concept of the absence of the world, referred to as loka absentia, which is a key aspect of ancient Buddhism.[83] (2) Nibbana is one of the four ultimate truths that Ashin Garudhamma teaches, relating to consciousness, mental factors, and matter within a Buddhist context.[84]