Reflections on Nirvana

Dhr. Seven, Sayalay Aloka, Wisdom Quarterly REFLECTIONS ON NIRVANA

Biggest [excavated] statue of the Buddha reclining into nirvana, Burma. Biggest is in Bamiyan.

.

Searching, searching for that experience.

Then one day the Buddha reclined into final nirvana or parinirvana between two sal trees.

Many devas ("shining ones") and humans gathered to see him at this remarkable time.

But what's so remarkable about the "nirvanering" (cooling, quenching, thirst slaking) of a supremely enlightened teacher? What's so great about nirvana for anyone?

Then there were at most only seven more lives.

Nirvana is indescribable bliss beyond mere sensual pleasure and pain. Compared to the sleep of ignorance we are constantly in, nirvana is awakening.

People imagine that because it is indescribable the Buddha made no attempt to describe it. But in fact he described it in many ways. Words can never approach the actual experience, yet he compared nirvana to complete freedom, ultimate peace, the laying down of the burden, release, liberation, deathlessness... the end of all suffering.

Nirvana is fulfillment, satisfaction, contentment, completion, the end of craving and clinging, the end of the mental defilements and the misery they produce. However, any conception of it may stand in the way of directly and authentically experiencing it. So it is better to follow the Path that leads to bliss rather than simply wondering what it must be like.

Aura in front of big Buddha (Daily Travel Pill)

What is the Path? In general, it is reflecting on the four ennobling truths. In specific, it is the fourth reflection -- the truth of the way leading to the complete cessation of all suffering.

To be even more specific, it is the 37 Requisites of Enlightenment, one of which is the Seven Factors of Enlightenment. But lists are lists, and doing is doing.

Karma (action) is more powerful than planning or enumerating lists. And the karma that leads to the end of all karma (fulfilling the Path) is the best karma of all, just as nirvana is the ultimate realization.