The Nirvana Element (sutra)

SuttaFriends.org (trans.), Nibbānadhātu Sutta or "Nirvana Element Discourse" (Itivuttaka 44); Amber Larson and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

The Nirvana Element Sutra

Scythian/Shakyamuni Buddha

The Buddha explains the two nirvana (Pali nibbāna) elements. [Nirvana, because it does not depend on any causes, conditions, or constituent factors is known uniquely as the "unconditioned element" and the "deathless" (amata)].

This sutra was taught by the Blessed One, taught by the fully Enlightened One, the supremely awakened Buddha.

Meditators (monastics), there are two nirvanas.

Thus have I heard: “Meditators, there are these two nirvana elements. What are the two? The first is the nirvana element with residue remaining (sōpādisesa nibbāna) and the second is the nirvana element free of any residue remaining (anupādisesa nibbāna).

“What, meditators, is the nirvana element with residue remaining?

“Here, meditators, a meditator is

• a liberated one,
• one whose taints are destroyed,
• the path to [the complete freedom of] nirvana fulfilled,
• has finished the task [necessary] for liberation,
• has laid down the burden of the defilements,
• has by gradual [and balanced effort] attained the supreme goal,
• has destroyed the fetters binding one to again-becoming [rebirth], and
• is completely liberated through true knowledge.

“Furthermore, one's five sense faculties remain functioning.

The rainbow body transformation in Vajrayana lore

“Since they still function, one experiences contact with pleasant and unpleasant objects and is aware of pleasure and pain. But passion (greed), aversion (hatred), and delusion [ignorance regarding the Four Ennobling Truths] have been removed completely from the mind. Meditators, this is called the nirvana element with residue remaining.

“And what, meditators, is the nirvana element free of any remaining residue?

“Meditators, here [in this Doctrine and Discipline] a meditator is a liberated one, one whose taints are destroyed, the path to [the freedom of] nirvana fulfilled, has finished the task [necessary] for liberation, has laid down the burden of the defilements, has by gradual [and balanced effort] attained the supreme goal, has destroyed the fetters binding one to again-becoming, and is completely liberated by true knowledge.

“In that liberated one’s life, all feelings that are experienced -- not being delighted in with craving [and clinging] -- will cool down here in this very life, with the attainment of nirvana at passing away. Meditators, this is called the nirvana element free of any remaining residue.

“Meditators, these are the two nirvana elements.”

[Explanation]

Family: Ven. Rahula, the Buddha, Ven. Ananda

This is the meaning of what the Blessed One said. So with regard to this, it was said: These two nirvana elements were proclaimed by the one with eyes of Dharma, the one detached from all defilements, the Buddha [Awakened One], who has an unshaken mind.

The first nirvana element is experienced here in this life with residue remaining -- inasmuch as the defilements that lead to rebirth are now destroyed.

The second nirvana element has no residue remaining and leads to the cessation of all rebirth and suffering. This element is experienced as one passes away.

Having destroyed all craving, the cord of clinging to becoming, having experienced the unconditioned element, nirvana, the enlightened ones (arya, the noble ones) live with liberated minds/hearts.

Having attained the Dharma-essence, they delight in the destruction of defilements, nirvana. The Liberated Ones with unshaken minds have removed completely all further suffering (dukkha, disappointment) and rebirth. This, too, is the meaning of what was said by the Blessed One. This is exactly as I heard.

COMMENTARY

Nirvana is not like this! - Yeah, but...

But what does it mean? What is "nirvana"? It is more than the mere absence of all suffering. According to the meticulous research of American Theravada Buddhist scholar-monk Bhikkhu Bodhi (formerly Dr. Jeffrey Block, Ph.D.), nirvana is an truly existing reality. It is not nothingness, as so many foolishly conclude based on its customary negative framing as not this and not that.

It is phrased in this way because it is unlike anything else. There is nothing to compare it to. But the Buddha did liken it to some things we could understand -- peace, ultimate bliss, the end of suffering, and so on. It is the "deathless" (amata, amrita, ambrosia). Yet it is not the "eternal life" of Hinduism and Christianity.

See Bhikkhu Bodhi's As It Is recording called Nibbana (the Pali word for the Sanskrit nirvana) for his extensive elaboration on the unconditioned element, the only thing that is not a "[conditioned, composite] thing." It is independent. It stands alone. And it is liberation (moksha), freedom (vimutti), the end of all rebirth and dukkha.

So the two types, with residue remaining and free of any further residue, is easy to understand. While nirvana (having reached full enlightenment) means the end of all further rebirth, it does not mean the end of this rebirth, this lifespan. One lives it out, still in the world, but now no longer trapped by it. Here "the world" means all states.

We may compare this to the Christian notion of being in world but not of the world, but in that case "the world" means just this human state. Nirvana is not a heaven. There are heavens attainable by rebirth. Living beings have been there in this endless round of rebirth known as samsara.

The Buddha recognized that no heaven is really the end of suffering because -- as long as they may last, and some last a tremendously long time, or as blissful as they may be -- they come to an end. The wholesome karma that conditioned them (acts as a support) is eventually exhausted and one falls from that state to experience the results of other often less pleasant karmic results.