Page 276

Alexandr Korol
Site Admin
Posts: 5543
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2023 7:38 pm

Page 276

Post by Alexandr Korol »

and death, in which the soul has existed since the creation of the Universe, reincarnating from one body to another. The final stage, in which the soul is freed from the cycle of reincarnation, is called mukti. According to Sikh teachings, mukti can be attained before death — a level known as jivan-muktat, which translates as “liberated while still alive.””

Now we return to the topic of Nirvana. “Nirvana (‘extinguishing,’ ‘cessation,’ ‘absence’ of agitation, anxiety, dissatisfaction, impatience, passions) is a concept in Indian religious thought that denotes the highest goal and the deepest realization of all living beings, primarily humans, achieved through the practice of meditation and playing a crucial role in Buddhism. There are many definitions of the concept of ‘nirvana,’ but it is usually associated with a state of liberation from the distress inherent in existence within samsara. Nirvana has a number of characteristics, the most important of which is non-attachment.” Next: “freedom from desires, attachments, and suffering — that is, the absence of their influence on the events of life; liberation from suffering, from the cycle of births and deaths (samsara); a state of consciousness in which dharmas — particles of the stream of consciousness (Sanskrit: chitta-santana) ‘remain at rest’;
the deepest level of realization and understanding for those practicing Buddhist yoga in early Buddhism and in Theravāda, attainable after the eradication of all defilements (kleshas) that poison consciousness with the toxins of lust, anger, and ignorance (this state is called ‘nirvana with remainder’).
In addition to “nirvana with remainder,” the Pali suttas distinguish “nirvana without remainder” (Pali — “mahaparinibbana”). Furthermore, there is occasional mention of “impermanent nirvana,” which is referred to as peace (shanti) or the state of the Buddha who has transcended both nirvana and samsara.
In late Indian and Tibetan Buddhism (Mahayana), the concept of “natural nirvana” or emptiness (shunyata) is used.
Longchen Rabjam connected nirvana with rigpa (“the natural primordial state of bliss” of the Primordial Buddha Samantabhadra).
There have always been and continue to be debates among Buddhologists and followers of Buddhism about how exactly the nature of nirvana should be understood. In Brahmanism and Hinduism, nirvana is the merging with Brahman.
In Buddhism, nirvana is realized by a being who has attained Awakening (bodhi).”