What practice leads to nirvana? (video)

Pa Auk Sayadaw and Beth Upton (bethupton.com); text by Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly

The Buddha pointed the way to nirvana.

Nirvana (Pali nibbana) does not happen automatically. It does not happen necessarily. It is the result of effort put forth in bringing together the Ennobling Eightfold Path.

How to explain? Here's Buddhism by the numbers: Buddhism is about one thing, awakening from ignorance. This is called enlightenment. What is the point of enlightenment? Nirvana.

Buddhism is really about two things, suffering and the end of all suffering. What is the end of all suffering? Nirvana.

Buddhism is about three things: eradicating greed, hatred, and delusion. What is the result of eradicating these defilements? Nirvana.

Buddhism is about four things: The Four Ennobling Truths. What is the point of penetrating these four? Nirvana.

Buddhism is about seven things: The Seven Factors of Enlightenment. What's the point of practicing them? Enlightenment, which is the way to nirvana.

Buddhism is about 37 things:  the 37 Requisites of Enlightenment. What's the point of enlightenment? Nirvana.

Therefore, it's safe to say that above all things, nirvana is the ultimate.

• Beth Upton live Q&A, Sit-Heads Meditation (4/15/22)

Beth Upton was a successful Buddhist nun.

Here Beth Upton, the Western daughter of Burmese Buddhist Meditation Master Pa Auk Sayadaw, gives a brief talk on the practice leading to nirvana.

And she interviews Pa Auk Sayadaw, who emphasizes the unifying principle of Buddhist practice: The Four Noble Truths. "Noble" (aryan) means "enlightened." These are the four truths that lead to enlightenment, which is the way to nirvana:

Beth Upton's interview of the most Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw