Nirvana... The meaning of the word has become synonymous with a relaxed, blissful state. This is a term whose distorted interpretation has entered the vocabulary of people suffering drug addiction. The idea of it as euphoria is actually not true. The concept of “nirvana” is one of the most complex in Buddhism. Precise definition Even the famous Buddha Shakyamuni could not give him.

Everyone has heard the expression “go to nirvana” at least once. What does it mean? Usually this phrase means some incredibly pleasant state, filled with endless bliss, even, one might say, a peak of pleasure. It is believed that you can fall into nirvana for any reason, for example, from listening to your favorite music, from eating delicious food, from being close to your loved one. In fact, this opinion is wrong. So what is nirvana and what is it for? Let's try to figure it out.

Mentions of nirvana

Of course, Buddha Shakyamuni himself spoke about nirvana (the literal translation of the name is “the sage, the awakened one of the Shakya family”), the founder of Buddhism, the legendary spiritual teacher. He referred to it as the state of cessation of suffering, obscurations and attachments of the mind. The thing is that Shakyamuni never described the state of nirvana as positive. He spoke only about what it is not.

The famous Soviet religious scholar, Evgeniy Alekseevich Torchinov, expressed a certain opinion regarding Buddha and nirvana. The scientist concluded that the sage maintained a noble silence regarding nirvana. Torchinov summarized: “Nirvana is a state that fundamentally goes beyond the boundaries of empirical knowledge and the language that describes it.”

What is nirvana in Buddhism?

Nirvana, or Nibbana, is considered the highest happiness in Buddhism. But in in this case it should not be interpreted as the joyful excitement that is familiar to us in earthly existence. By absolute happiness, Buddhists mean the absence of suffering that a person continuously experiences in Samsara. This term denotes the cycle of life limited by karma.

In Buddhism, nirvana is described as something vague, the opposite of Samsara. She, in turn, is considered a world of delusions, passions, attachments and hence the ensuing suffering. If one purifies oneself from the listed factors, then the “enlightened one” can fully experience what nirvana is and become liberated both from the physical body and from ideas, desires and consciousness in general. In Buddhism, this state is not considered an absolute, unity with God, since in this case it would mean the continuation of the passion for life.

Peace or non-existence?

Does the above mean that nirvana is a state of complete non-existence? This is not entirely true. Despite the fact that researchers and teachers of Buddhism to this day argue about the correct interpretation of the concept of “nirvana,” most of them still agree that this is not a state that means the complete disappearance of all living things. In their understanding, this is just peace of mind, freedom from passions, conflicts and tension. Some of the teachers interpret nirvana as follows - it does not have life itself (desires, thoughts, movement), which is implied in Samsara, but at the same time its potential and energy are present. It's almost as if dry wood and matches were available, there would be a potential for kindling a flame, a latent possibility of fire.

Another type of nirvana in Buddhism

Everything that was mentioned above refers to the nirvana of abiding, or, as it is also called, the great one. Those who manage to achieve this state are in complete peace.

Also in Buddhism there is another version of this concept - nirvana of non-abidence. The practitioners with the help of which it is achieved renounce the state of complete peace in order to help individuals in Samsara and guide other practitioners. Usually such people with consciousness in the awakening stage are called bodhisattvas. What is nirvana for them? This is the ability to generate compassion in one’s own soul to an incredibly large extent and help everyone who turns to them for any help.

Bodhisattvas: display in culture

Bodhisattvas are mentioned in prayers and depicted on different types Thang (traditional Tibetan designs on fabric). The most famous of all existing is the compassionate and seer Avalokiteshvara. According to legend, the moment this bodhisattva was able to achieve enlightenment, he saw how much suffering those who remained in Samsara were experiencing. Avalokiteshvara was so amazed by such a sight that his head was torn into eleven pieces from pain. But other enlightened ones were able to help him. They collected and restored the head to its original condition. From that time on, Avalokiteshvara began to teach others how to achieve nirvana. In this way he helped them get rid of painful suffering.

Achieving an Enlightened State

Can every living being achieve nirvana? It is difficult to answer this question. If this were achievable, then suffering would disappear as a concept altogether. The Buddha said that he was not able to free everyone completely from suffering as easily as removing a thorn from a leg. And it is not in his power to wash away bad karma from everyone as simply as dirt is washed away with water. He only offered to free us from suffering, showing us the right path. Presumably, such a path for everyone is very long and can last, undergoing hundreds and even thousands of rebirths until a person clears his karma and completely frees his mind from the obscurations that torment him. However, according to Buddhist teachers, every living being has Buddha nature, and therefore the possibility of achieving enlightenment.

What nirvana is not and the opinion of esotericists

Most esotericists know what nirvana is and somehow understand the meaning of this concept. This is generally accepted as the goal of most Buddhists. But some of the young esotericists do not attribute nirvana to Buddhism and use this term to call some states from present life. Thus, they mislead many people. Therefore, it is worth noting what nirvana is and what it really is not.

This is the place of existence for some representatives of humanity after death. This opinion is shared by a small number of people who have achieved liberation, that is, a state that is not entirely correctly called enlightenment, and who have decided to independently leave Samsara.
Nirvana - what does this concept mean? It is an exclusively Buddhist term. Outside of this culture, nirvana has no meaning. This is not a trance, not a state of happiness or bliss. By its very essence, nirvana cannot be accessible to living people.

Questionable opinions about nirvana

Many skeptics argue that everything we hear and know about nirvana, in addition to the above, is fantasy and speculation. Buddhism claims that a person’s entire life and his state after death, all rebirths are the Great Wheel of Samsara. Even bodhisattvas are in it. That is, if a person is alive, then he is in Samsara - there are no options. Those who leave it do not return - this postulate is a fundamental concept in Buddhism. For this reason, any living person has, in principle, no reliable information about nirvana and cannot know anything about it. Since this concept is absolutely ephemeral, there is not a single proof of its existence. Thus, we can conclude that our knowledge of nirvana cannot be verified.

What is the truth about nirvana?

Nirvana is an abstract, speculative antithesis to Samsara, which is known and can even be explored. These two concepts are still not considered antonyms. If those who live constantly in Samsara suffer from time to time, then in Nirvana no one ever does. This may be true, but it has not been proven, it is just an assumption.

It is believed that Buddha said that nirvana is a world without suffering, a state of complete harmony, and the like. Or maybe such a conclusion was never heard? In the collections of his sayings (sutras) there are the words “I heard that.” There is only one goal here - not to make these aphorisms an immutable truth that is not disputed (by dogma). The person is given the opportunity to doubt the accuracy of the statements, because the narrator could have misunderstood or forgotten something from what he heard.

Finding answers

This approach of the Buddha to the sutras could presumably persuade Buddhists to independently search for an answer to the question: “Nirvana - what is it?”, to a rational, skeptical perception of ideas in Buddhism. Subsequently, they can be checked repeatedly. But this approach is unacceptable for nirvana - a person is not able to penetrate beyond the limits of possible understanding and discern what is happening there. You have to either fantasize or completely complete this useless activity.

If you look at it, for a Buddhist nirvana is a kind of filter, an obstacle. Those who want to get into it cannot do this, since the fact of striving for it is the essence of the manifestation of restless desires and mind. In this case, the person is in Samsara, but not in nirvana. Entrance to it is closed to him. In the same way, the desire to escape from Samsara is a sign of confusion and closes the gate to Nirvana.

Is it possible to come into contact with the inhabitants of Nirvana?

Alternatively, you could (theoretically) use the services of a medium and try to communicate with someone in nirvana. But its inhabitants, in fact, should not even have the desire, much less any reason, to answer questions, even if they are asked by a bodhisattva. Their desires and minds should have been at peace for a long time. Even if it were possible to get to nirvana, asking questions to those in it would be a problematic task. There is a law of resonance - in order to reach them, you need to completely calm your desires and mind. Accordingly, the impulse to ask a question is suppressed. In general, this is impossible.

And yet, most Buddhists strive to know how to achieve nirvana. This is the purpose of their practices. It is clear that nirvana is incomparable and has no similarities with the paradise inherent in the Christian religion, or any other type of rewarding existence after death. These are not components of Samsara.

Nirvana - goal or inevitability?

From the entire Buddhist theory about nirvana, we can conclude that after a person leaves Samsara, he simply has nowhere to go. Therefore, after liberation from the Great Wheel, there is only one road - to nirvana. Therefore, there is no point in wanting to get into it as such. After all, sooner or later everyone must find themselves in nirvana. And this despite the fact that some will need quite a long time to be able to leave Samsara.

It also makes no sense to want to understand what nirvana is. After all, you will be able to feel everything when you get into it. And the desire to learn as much as possible about it is a manifestation of confusion and prevents the coming of enlightenment.

Conscious renunciation of nirvana

People - bodhisattvas - renounce it of their own free will. They achieve liberation, but still prefer to remain in the wheel of Samsara. But at the same time, a bodhisattva can change his decision and go to nirvana. For example, Shakyamuni was a bodhisattva during his lifetime. And after he died, he became Buddha and moved to nirvana.

Most of the idea behind such renunciation is the desire to help every living being achieve liberation. But to some, this explanation seems dubious. In this case, one question arises - if the bodhisattva has not yet been in nirvana (since he is alive, and it is inaccessible to him), how can he know what is happening there?

Nirvana in music

For some, the term “nirvana” denotes an elevated state, akin to insight. There are also people who consider it a place of final peace. But millions of music fans understand this word only as the name of the famous band. The Nirvana group completely changed the idea of the status of rock stars of the 90s of the 20th century. She was one of the unique representatives of the underground on stage. Nirvana also found its fans among punks, moshers, trash fans, fans of alternative rock music and the traditional mainstream. The name was one of the problems when creating the group. After many options were proposed, band leader Kurt Cobain settled on Nirvana as something good, in contrast to the usual rock, evil labels.

The highest goal that every true Buddhist believer should strive to achieve is nirvana. Despite the fact that a lot is said about it in Buddhist canonical literature and even more has been written by later Buddhists and modern researchers, much still remains unclear and often seems contradictory
Buddha in Nirvana. Cave No. 26. Ajanta

The word “nirvana” itself means “calm”, “extinction”. In Buddhism, it was used to define the highest state of spirit of a person achieved through personal efforts, freed from all earthly passions and attachments. Nirvana is usually compared to the fire of a lamp that goes out because the oil has burned. All manifestations of individuality have faded away - there are no sensory sensations, no ideas, no consciousness. The effect of the law of karma ceases; after death, such a person is no longer reborn and leaves samsara. (Samsara - in Indian philosophy, reincarnation, repeated births).
Buddhist “salvation,” therefore, did not mean the achievement of a happy eternal life (in some other, unearthly conditions), as in other religions, but eternal deliverance from it.
Buddhists did not consider nirvana to be eternal death. Buddha called his creed the “middle path,” denying and eternal life, and eternal death. Nirvana is said to be the “supreme goal,” “supreme bliss,” “supreme happiness,” etc.
In Buddhism, the existence of two fundamentally different substances - temporary material (body) and eternal spiritual (soul) - is not recognized. Recognizing the eternity of the soul would mean recognizing the eternity of life and the impossibility of achieving nirvana. It was believed that personality is the unity of soul and body and is a set of unanalyzable, unknowable elements - dharmas (not to be confused with dharma - the name of Buddhism). Spiritual substance cannot exist separately from the body. It, like material substance, is not eternal, changeable and subject to final decay and in this respect is not like atman.
Thus, the theory of the transmigration of souls has undergone a significant change: it is not the soul that passes from one body to another, but a specific complex of unknowable elements, appearing in one case as a certain personality, in another case revealing itself as a different personality.
Life is a stream of constantly changing momentary flashes of perception and consciousness, and it only seems continuous to us. In nirvana, dharmas achieve final tranquility.
One of the most difficult tasks for Buddhist theology was to explain how the law of karma operates in the absence of an undying soul. Some early Buddhist schools (such as the Sammitiyas) were even forced to acknowledge the existence of an eternal soul. Equally poorly consistent with the theory of the absence of a soul that does not perish after death is the idea of hell and heaven (heaven), where something imperishable and immaterial should reside.
According to early Buddhism, nirvana can only be achieved by a person who, over many previous lives, has accumulated the necessary moral merit in accordance with the requirements of the Eightfold Path. IN last life he must cut off all worldly ties, become a monk and devote himself to mastering the teachings of the Buddha and contemplating the mysteries of existence. Old ascetic hermits borrowed old and developed new techniques of self-hypnosis, with the help of which one could bring oneself to a cataleptic trance, which, according to Buddhists, was a special elevated state that inhibited mental functions and thereby, as it were, ceasing the existence of the individual.
To the question whether a person can achieve nirvana during his lifetime, modern Buddhists answer positively. In particular, they refer to the Buddha achieving nirvana at the moment of "enlightenment"; and some passages in the canonical works allow them to assert this. However, this is difficult to reconcile with the first “noble truth”, according to which life consists of suffering and not so much moral as physical (birth, illness, old age, death). Nirvana was supposed to free man from suffering and this kind, but it is known that the Buddha after “enlightenment,” as evidenced by the data of the Pali Canon, was subject to fatigue, illness, senile decrepitude and death.
Thus, throughout the entire period of antiquity, a persistent tradition was maintained that nirvana occurs only after the physical death of a person. This was probably the earliest representation. Quite early, obviously, the view arose that nirvana could be achieved during one’s lifetime. And although the traditional biography of the Buddha, which had developed by that time, was already based on new ideas, it turned out to be impossible to bypass the old ones. It is important that there was no unity among Buddhists on this issue even after the writing of the canon.

Anna Lyubimova

The concept of nirvana is found in many teachings and beliefs. It means freedom from torment. In common usage nirvana is a state where there are no passions, torments, and there is the highest happiness and peace. This is an unknown feeling of constant peace and joy.

Nirvana acts as a break in the chain of reincarnation. This is a stop of reincarnation, constant and indestructible peace. Nirvana is difficult to define. As for its understanding, there are constant discussions among scholars of Buddhism. In the understanding of Hindus and followers of Brahmanism, nirvana is a union with Brahma.

How can one achieve nirvana in Buddhism and what does it mean?

According to the Buddha's belief, despite the torment that permeates every stage of existence in Samsara, there is a state without torment, and it is possible to achieve it. It is a state of trance or nirvana. Entry into this state in the teachings of the Buddha is designated by the term amata, that is, the achievement of the soul, which destroys the chain of karmic existence.

What is nirvana? By definition, this is a state of soul, freedom from worldly worries and attachments, complete enlightenment and knowledge of the Truth.

The Sutra Pitaka defines nirvana as chitta (liberated mind), which does not experience any feelings. Oazum is no longer identified with the phenomenon of life, it is constant, eternal, and therefore liberated. Nirvana is the end of ignorance (avidya), which plunges the mind into a constant chain of reincarnation, samsara (a life of dependence). IN exact designation nirvana is not considered a clear place or state. She acts as the knowledge of Truth.

What is nirvana?

Let's try to understand what nirvana is and where this concept comes from. In particular, what does the word nirvana mean in philosophy? Briefly, this is the ultimate highest goal of human existence. This term is considered similar in meaning to a relaxed and blissful state. But in the 60s this concept in a distorted form entered the vocabulary of people who use drugs. It is a grave mistake to consider nirvana a state of euphoria. This state is considered the most difficult in Buddhism. Even Buddha Shakyamuni could not clearly characterize him.

nirvana in philosophy is the ultimate highest goal of human existence

Everyone is familiar with the phrase "fall into nirvana". It means something very pleasant, a kind of peak of pleasure, a feeling of constant bliss. You can fall into nirvana for various reasons: from an incredible dish, beautiful music, from intimate pleasures. But in reality, such an understanding is completely erroneous.

In the teachings of Buddha, nirvana is the name of supreme happiness, but it should not be understood here as the joy available in worldly life. Followers of the Buddha define happiness as freedom from the suffering experienced in the world every day. Shakyamuni said that nirvana is the end of torment, clouding of the mind, and attachment. The problem is that he did not give such a concept any “positive” definition. Mentioning only what cannot be considered nirvana.

Religious scholar and researcher E. Torchinov noted that the problem of nirvana is one of those that Buddha did not talk about. Nirvana is located far beyond the scope of empirical knowledge, as well as such descriptive language.

Among researchers and followers of the Buddha's teachings, there is still debate about the correct understanding of the state of nirvana

In Buddhism it is described as something in contrast to Samsara. The latter appears as a world of passion, attachment, false ideas, and torment. If you cleanse yourself of this, then an enlightened person will achieve nirvana and be freed, not only from the body, but from attractions and consciousness. The difference with Brahmanism is that in the Buddha's teaching it is not union with the absolute or god, since this union means the continuation of existence.

It turns out that nirvana is absolute non-existence? Not certainly in that way. Although scientists and teachers of Buddhism are still arguing about the adequacy of the interpretation of such a term. Many still agree that this is a complete cleansing of the world from living beings. This is where there is no disagreement, torment and passion. Other teachers interpret this state as follows: there is no life in it, as understood in Samsara, but there is life potential and energy.

In the teachings of Buddha, nirvana is the name given to supreme happiness, that is, freedom from suffering.

Everything mentioned above should be attributed to the great nirvana. It is also called nirvana of abiding. Those who achieve it are in absolute peace. In the teachings of the Buddha, there are other types - nirvana of non-abidence. People who have achieved the state of nirvana are called Bodhisattvas. They refuse absolute peace and care in order to help the rest of the living and direct them on this path. All because they were able to revive great compassion in their own souls, they are ready to help everyone who turns to them. Bodhisattvas are celebrated when reciting prayers and are painted on the thangka.

The most famous Bodhisattva is Avalokitesvara. According to legend, when he entered a state of enlightenment, he noticed the suffering beings living in Samsara were experiencing. This struck him so much that Avalokiteshvara’s head broke into 11 pieces from the pain. But the rest of the enlightened ones helped, and they restored their heads. From that moment on, Avalokiteshvara helps others escape suffering and experience nirvana.

There are several types of nirvana. It is interpreted differently in different teachings. It is impossible to say for sure what exactly this condition means.

Is there a chance for other living beings to achieve nirvana? How to go to nirvana? It is difficult to answer the question. It is believed that this path is long for everyone, and it lasts countless reincarnations until karma is completely cleared of obscurations.

Types of Nirvana

Highlight Various types nirvana. In the Buddha's teachings it is:

an unknown state of constant peace and absolute satisfaction;
destruction of the chain of rebirths, the end of rebirths, complete, unbreakable peace;
it defies any definition;
There is still debate among scientists and Buddhists about the correct understanding of nirvana.

Exist different types nirvana according to various teachings

But from different sources we distinguish the division into 3 types of nirvana:

mental. Is a short condition that has happened to any person. Everyone has sometimes caught a moment of incredible peace, as well as enlightenment. This is called the mental manifestation of nirvana;
vital. This nirvana can be achieved by a person if his soul is still in the body. This gives a chance to break the chain of rebirths and leads a person to a new species;
eternal. Those who were able to achieve the previous type of nirvana after the death of the body, i.e. after death, comprehends it.

IN Theravada There are 2 types of nirvana:

« with the remainder" A saint in Buddhism resides in this state before leaving the chain of reincarnation. The body is called the remnant, it bears the name of the “last”;
« without a trace" In this case, the complete set of dharmas “calms down” for the Buddhist saint, and he himself ceases to exist forever.

How to fall into nirvana?

The problem of how to get to nirvana, to enter its life form, worries all the followers of the Buddha. After all, this is the purpose of their life. You cannot achieve freedom afterward if you have not achieved nirvana during this life. Otherwise, you will have to live another life, with new vicissitudes and passions.

Initially, it is worth realizing the very understanding of freedom, which is comprehended in the state of nirvana. This is liberation from any addiction. Worldly attachments add vulnerability to us; they are doomed to suffering. We certainly lose what is dear to us, and fear always comes before the moment of loss.

To achieve nirvana, you will need to learn to live in the present moment and disconnect from the thoughts and attachments of the outside world.

Slow extinction of worldly desires can be achieved using many practices from the Buddha's teachings and from others. Those who have achieved nirvana claim that this can be done through a variety of methods. Hypnosis, prayer - everyone has their own path. None of them will guarantee enlightenment; only a person will be able to break the constant circle of rebirths. Many people don't like the idea of being "insensitive." What does “I went to nirvana” mean? This is, first of all, the willingness to free yourself from everything worldly. For this reason, you will have to come to such a decision calmly and consciously in order to cut the chain of endless reincarnation with a firm hand. So, let's look at the technique of entering nirvana:

Stay in the lotus position and breathe. Breathing is one of the few constants in life; it is always with us. Feel the air flow through you. It is necessary to breathe through your nose, as inhaling and exhaling through your mouth will only increase your heart rate and increase anxiety. Breathing through your nose will bring relaxation. Focus your attention on your exhalations. During the process of exhalation, nothing happens, everything unnecessary disappears, you relax. For this reason, when breathing, concentrate on exhaling.
Ask yourself what you are doing now. You may be trying to read at the moment, but where are your thoughts in reality? What are they connected to? What is your body doing? If at this moment you wish to read, then do so. We have too many worries in the world. It is not strange that life is presently incomprehensible because of them.
Be a witness. This means observing and being aware of what is happening to a person every second. Pay attention to this, step back, then the past will recede. You should not concentrate your mind on one moment, otherwise you will find yourself trapped.
Let everything go. If a witness lives inside, he is turned to the present, then let go of everything that is not present at the moment. Stay here and now.
Breathe again. If thoughts and the world again interfere and take you away from the current moment in time, return to conscious breathing.

The technique of entering nirvana begins with the lotus position and even breathing

Thus, achieving nirvana is possible through conscious breathing, turning off thoughts about attachments and problems of the outside world, worldly life. It is impossible to achieve nirvana without letting go of the past and future. The sign of nirvana is here and now. As soon as you learn to break the connection with the world through meditation, you will step on the path to achieving this state of enlightenment, you will be freed from suffering. Buddha's followers devote their entire lives to this path; this is their main goal of existence. Each of us has our own path to enter nirvana and know the truth.

March 29, 2014

The section is very easy to use. In the field provided, just enter the right word, and we will give you a list of its values. I would like to note that our site provides data from various sources - encyclopedic, explanatory, word-formation dictionaries. Here you can also see examples of the use of the word you entered.

Meaning of the word nirvana

nirvana in the crossword dictionary

nirvana

Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. D.N. Ushakov

nirvana

nirvana, plural no, w. (Sanskrit nirvвna - disappearance, extinction) (book). Buddhists have a blissful state of the soul, freed from the suffering of personal existence. ? Death, non-existence (poet.). Immerse yourself in nirvana (colloquial) - transl. surrender to a state of complete peace.

Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. S.I.Ozhegov, N.Yu.Shvedova.

nirvana

Y, f. In Buddhism and some other religions: a blissful state of detachment from life, liberation from life's worries and aspirations. Immerse yourself in nirvana (translated: surrender to a state of complete peace; outdated and bookish).

New explanatory dictionary of the Russian language, T. F. Efremova.

nirvana

A blissful state of detachment from life, liberation from everyday worries and aspirations (in Buddhism and some other religions).

The place of residence of souls in this state.

trans. State of peace, bliss.

Encyclopedic Dictionary, 1998

nirvana

NIRVANA (Sanskrit - extinction) is the central concept of Buddhism and Jainism, meaning the highest state, the goal of human aspirations. In Buddhism - a psychological state of completeness of inner being, lack of desires, complete satisfaction and self-sufficiency, absolute detachment from the outside world; In the course of the development of Buddhism, along with the ethical and psychological concept of nirvana, the idea of it as an absolute also arises. In Jainism, the perfect state of the soul, freed from the shackles of matter, the endless game of birth and death (samsara).

Mythological dictionary

nirvana

(Buddhist) - “extinction” is the highest state of consciousness, which allows you to get rid of the chain of rebirths (samsara). It is believed that N. can be achieved during life, but it is fully achieved only after death. Beings who have reached N. cannot return to samsara, but can provide assistance to people and other beings seeking to get rid of the shackles of samsara.

Nirvana

(Sanskrit, literally ≈ fading, fading), the central concept of the religious philosophy of Buddhism (as well as Jainism), meaning the highest state, final goal spiritual aspirations of a person. In Buddhist texts, N. is characterized as something incomprehensible, inexpressible, the opposite of what can be in “this world and the other world,” essentially representing a state of internal completeness and absolute detachment from external existence. Psychologically, N.'s state is negatively described as a lack of passion, thirst for life in general, and positively as a state of perfection, satisfaction and self-sufficiency. Self-absorption, excluding the need to turn to the external, in the N. state is characterized by a certain “activity” of the intellect, feelings and will that cannot be dissected, which can be defined as a state of contemplative concentration. The Buddhist ideal - the absence of thoughts about happiness and unhappiness, good and evil, apparent indifference to basic human aspirations - can even be described as the absence of any specific goal at all. The only identifiable sensation in N.’s state is the feeling of unconnectedness, independence, and freedom. However, this is not freedom that “overcame” the world, but freedom that “sublated” the world, since the world does not oppose the human person in Buddhism and, therefore, does not require overcoming.

Although achieving N. involves abandoning the idea of happiness in general, Buddhist texts describe N. not only as a state of peace, but also as a state of bliss. In the 20th century N. ceased to be identified with the state of absolute nothingness (R. Childers, Great Britain, F. I. Shcherbatskaya, USSR, etc.). However, it is hardly justified to identify N. with the state of super-existence, which began in this life and continues after death (in the works of T. W. Rhys-Davids, Great Britain, H. Glasenapp, Germany, etc.). The state of complete satisfaction, in principle, removes the question of the duration of satisfaction and, therefore, future life. Considering this and at the same time the Buddhist non-recognition of death as destruction, we can assume that N. has nothing to do with the category of time at all.

In the course of the development of Buddhism, along with the ethical and psychological concept of N., ideas about it as an absolute reality arise, and attempts are made to ontologize psychological state[concept of Sarvastivadins in Hinayana; Madhyamika teaching in Mahayana, equating N. shunyata (emptiness), etc.]. In Jainism, N. means the perfect state of the soul, freed from the shackles of matter, from the endless game of birth and death.

N.'s concept is in line with mystical ideas about achieving a perfect state of soul or psyche, building a “kingdom not of this world within us.” A feature of the Buddhist and partly Jain idea of N., which distinguishes it not only from the ideas of Christian mysticism, Manichaeism, Sufism, but also from the Hindu concepts of “liberation”, is (despite a certain similarity with these concepts in the Mahayana) reliance only on one’s own strength and absolute the disconnection of N.'s achievement from the idea of the transcendent (God, good), the affirmation of the postulate of human divinity. Absolute detachment from everything external and an undoubted egocentric attitude lead many of N.'s followers to withdraw from participation in the life of society.

Lit.: Vallée Poussin L. de la, Nirvana, P., 1925; Stcherbatsky Th., The conception of Buddhist nirvana, Leningrad, 1927; Frauwallner E., Die Philosophie des Buddhismus, 3 Aufl., B., 1969; Conze E., Buddhist thought in India, L., ; Welbon G. R., The Buddhist Nirvana and its Western interpreters, Chi.≈L., 1968; Johansson R., The psychology of Nirvana, N.Y., 1970. See also lit. at Art. Buddhism.

V. P. Luchina.

Wikipedia

Nirvana

Nirvana, Nibbana- a concept in Indian religious thought that denotes the highest goal of all living beings and plays a vital role in Buddhism. There are many definitions of the concept of “nirvana,” but it is usually associated with the state of liberation from suffering inherent in existence in samsara.

In Buddhism, Nirvana:

freedom from desires, suffering and attachments;
liberation from suffering, from the circle of births (samsara);
a state of consciousness in which the elements of sanatana - the stream of consciousness (dharma) are at peace;
the highest goal of the aspirations of believers in early Buddhism and Theravada, achievable after the eradication of all defilements.

In addition to “nirvana with remainder,” the Pali suttas distinguish “nirvana without remainder” (parinirvana). In addition, "impermanent nirvana" is sometimes mentioned, which is spoken of as peace or the state of a Buddha who has transcended nirvana and samsara. In Late Indian and Tibetan Buddhism the concept of “natural nirvana” or emptiness (shunyata) is used. Longchen Rabjam linked nirvana with rigpa (the state of the Primordial Buddha Samantabhadra).

There have always been and continue to be debates among Buddhist scholars and adherents of Buddhism regarding how exactly nirvana should be understood. In Brahmanism and Hinduism, nirvana is merging with Brahman.

Nirvana (film, 1997)

"Nirvana"(1997) - a film by Italian director Gabriele Salvatores is considered classic work cyberpunk.

Nirvana (film, 2008)

"Nirvana"- Russian film, drama, filmed in 2008 by director Igor Voloshin. The film is dedicated to the problems of youth.

Examples of the use of the word nirvana in literature.

Tamba said: - The Diamond Chariot is the Path for people who live by murder, theft and all other mortal sins, but at the same time do not lose hope of achieving Nirvana.

This is if there is a God, but according to Buddhism, it seems He is not, so we will finish with Buddhism, in the hope that God needs us in an assembled state, and not in the form of archival drawings of what once was, but floated into nirvana.

To those who are unable to achieve nirvana, there is neither peace nor bliss: the absolute as overcoming any kind of nostalgia is a reward that goes only to those who agree to lay down their arms.

That is why the doctrines of Brahman and Nirvana did not become the last truth revealed to the pre-Christian world, and that is why they shared a common fate: Brahmanism resulted in Hindu paganism, and the philosophy of Gautama was overshadowed by popular Buddhism.

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Nirvana, then it is undeniable that Buddhist philosophy does not preach final annihilation, just as it is claimed that Jesus appeared to his disciples after death, so it is believed to this day that Gotama descended from Nirvana.

Omelette Like a Mirror of English Cuisine, Descent into Nirvana, Numismatic Epic.

And those who achieve this perfect peace called Nirvana, or in the Hindu language - Samadhi, makes this much easier with the help of music.

O Govinda, it seems to me that of all the Samanas existing in the world, perhaps not one will achieve Nirvana.

When wanderers in other worlds talk about Eden, like teachers of Semitic religions, or about the palaces of Brahma and Vishnu, about the heavens of the Iranian Asuras or Hindu devas, about the blissful land of Sukhavati, even about Nirvana- they take as the last goal only individual steps within Shadanakar, individual peaks of metacultures and the highest transmyths of religions, or, finally, the reality of the World Salvaterra.

To you, who always make unnecessary friends, to you, who lose everything except long-suffering, who do not fly forward, skipping steps, - over the trampled near and middle, and distant, to you, who kiss clean hand hidalgo, in Christ - without a cross, on the cross - without deception, giving for an eighth of a leaf nirvana, for an insignificant word, ready to be slaughtered, adapted only to scribbling paper, reaching the posthumous peak in glory - from my nails to my last tripe I surrender!

The boundaries of one’s own essence dissolved in undivided happiness and harmony: for a person this would be called God’s insight or nirvana.

Firstly, you can lose any certainty and enter the state 000 000 or the state nirvana, but this is also a form, and it does not correspond or correspond to other forms in the same way.

And after they reached nirvana, Georg separated from his half and went into another world, the world of sleep.

However, in this case, in the concept Nirvana his own doctrine finds the closest and least falsifiable religious expression.

Almost everyone has heard the sonorous word “nirvana” in one context or another, but not everyone knows that this is not only the name of a cult rock band that left a bright mark on the musical culture of the last century, but also a sacred term, which is one of the most important concepts in eastern spiritual practices.

The level of a person’s culture is also manifested in his erudition, so even if you are not a fan of Eastern philosophy, knowledge of the meaning of the word “nirvana” will definitely not be superfluous.

What is nirvana?

Translated from Sanskrit the word "nirvana" means "cessation, extinction" . Sanskrit is one of the ancient Indian languages, in which the legendary sages, who stood at the origins of numerous philosophical teachings and spiritual practices of the East, expounded their teachings.

In Western culture, the words “cessation” and “extinction” are more negative than creative, but Eastern culture is radically different from anything we are used to. Achieving nirvana is a desirable goal for everyone, as well as for adherents of some other Indian religious and philosophical teachings.

There are many definitions of the concept of “nirvana,” but they all agree that nirvana is liberation from the suffering inherent in samsara. That is, in this case we are talking about the cessation and extinction of suffering and delusions, and, you see, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this.

IN Buddhist tradition Nirvana is:

- liberation from the circle of rebirths;

- freedom from suffering, desires and attachments;

- a state in which consciousness is at rest;

- the highest goal of aspiration in the early schools of Buddhism (in modern schools Nirvana is only an intermediate stage to achieve higher stages of enlightenment).

Buddhists call nirvana a special state in which consciousness in the usual sense of the word fades away, acquiring a fundamentally different quality that allows one to completely free the mind from illusions, making it suitable for the perception of absolute truth. The flow of thoughts stops, the illusory world loses its power over a person, and the true essence of things and concepts becomes obvious without any explanation.

In a state of nirvana, human consciousness comes into complete harmony with the surrounding universe, while there is simply no room left for worries and anxieties, which is why we can say that nirvana is a state of absolute happiness.

When there are no passions, desires or attachments left in the soul, nothing can anymore cause it suffering or anxiety. Nirvana is not a legend; many enlightened people can reach this state at will.

What is the path to achieving nirvana?

The path to achieving nirvana is to cleanse your own consciousness of everything unnecessary through regular meditation. Nirvana is a very real state, familiar firsthand to many adherents of Eastern religions, but it is quite difficult to describe it in words, for the simple reason that in the state of nirvana, the concepts and terms familiar to us lose all meaning, and the sensations experienced in nirvana have no no meaning or explanation in the context of our usual thoughts and words.

There is an ancient parable that successfully illustrates the above. In one lake there lived a turtle. She spent most of her time in the water, where she made friends with the fish inhabiting the lake. But sometimes the turtle went ashore to do its business, and the fish were very surprised, not understanding where it was disappearing.

All their lives the fish had never seen anything except the lake in which they lived, so for them it was the whole universe, and they simply could not imagine anything outside its boundaries.

Sometimes they asked the turtle where it was going and where it was coming from, then it honestly answered them that it was on the shore, but this word meant nothing to the fish, they could not imagine how anything could exist in the world other than the water around them and the objects in it, the words “walk along the shore” sounded to them like a meaningless set of sounds.

The fish we're talking about we're talking about in the parable, they simply did not have the opportunity to leave the lake and walk along the shore. Human capabilities are broader. Although Nirvana cannot be described in clear words, it can be achieved and experienced. A necessary condition To achieve nirvana is to stop the so-called “internal dialogue”.

A process occurs almost constantly in the human consciousness, which is essentially a dialogue with oneself. Even when it seems to us that we are not thinking about anything, our consciousness is still quietly whispering to itself, it continues to ask itself questions and answer them. There are meditation techniques that allow you to stop this dialogue and feel inner silence. It is in this silence that the entrance to nirvana is found.

Stopping internal dialogue, a person opens his consciousness to new sensations for which in his normal state he simply does not have the resources. Having learned from at will stop the internal dialogue, you will come very close to nirvana, but it is not possible to describe in understandable words the last step towards achieving it, since the entire world familiar to us is a “lake”, and nirvana is located beyond its borders.

In order to learn how to fall into nirvana, it is best to find an experienced guide who knows the way there and back; independent attempts can be dangerous, because fish thrown ashore do not always manage to return back without outside help.