Development of the Teaching Development of the Teaching on the Supreme Happiness on the Supreme Happiness

(Nibbāna)(Nibbāna) Phramaha Surasak PrajantasenPhramaha Surasak Prajantasen

Pali VII, Ph.D. in Buddhist StudiesPali VII, Ph.D. in Buddhist StudiesVice Dean of Faculty of Buddhism Vice Dean of Faculty of Buddhism

► Q. Q. What is The Nibbana What is The Nibbana ► A.A. The concept of Nibbana is found in Jainism, The concept of Nibbana is found in Jainism,

Buddhism and Hinduism. In some schools of Buddhism and Hinduism. In some schools of Indian religions, Indian religions, NibbabaNibbaba is considered is considered equivalent to and used interchangeably with equivalent to and used interchangeably with other terms such as other terms such as vimokshavimoksha, , vimuktivimukti, , kaivalyakaivalya, , apavargaapavarga, , muktimukti, , nihsreyasanihsreyasa and and nirvananirvana..

► However, terms such as moksha and nirvana However, terms such as moksha and nirvana differ and mean different states between differ and mean different states between various schools of Hinduism, Buddhism and various schools of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.The term nirvana is more common in Jainism.The term nirvana is more common in Buddhism, while moksha is more prevalent in Buddhism, while moksha is more prevalent in Hinduism. Hinduism.

► Q. Q. What is The Nibbana in JainismWhat is The Nibbana in Jainism► A.A. It It means liberation or salvation. It is means liberation or salvation. It is

a blissful state of existence of a soul, a blissful state of existence of a soul, completely free from the karmic completely free from the karmic bondage, free from bondage, free from saṃsārasaṃsāra, the cycle , the cycle of birth and death. A liberated soul is of birth and death. A liberated soul is said to have attained its true and said to have attained its true and pristine nature of infinite bliss, infinite pristine nature of infinite bliss, infinite knowledge and infinite perception. knowledge and infinite perception. Such a soul is called Such a soul is called siddhasiddha or or paramatmanparamatman and considered as and considered as supreme soul or God. supreme soul or God.

► In In JainismJainism, it is the highest and the noblest , it is the highest and the noblest objective that a soul should strive to objective that a soul should strive to achieve. In fact, it is the only objective that achieve. In fact, it is the only objective that a person should have; other objectives are a person should have; other objectives are contrary to the true nature of soul. With contrary to the true nature of soul. With right view, knowledge and efforts all souls right view, knowledge and efforts all souls can attain this state. That is why Jainism is can attain this state. That is why Jainism is also known as also known as mokṣamārgamokṣamārga or the “path to or the “path to liberation”. liberation”.

►MokshaMoksha in Hinduism also called in Hinduism also called vimokshavimoksha, , vimuktivimukti and and muktimukti, means emancipation, , means emancipation, liberation or release. In the soteriological liberation or release. In the soteriological and eschatological sense, it connotes and eschatological sense, it connotes freedom from freedom from saṃsārasaṃsāra, the cycle of death , the cycle of death and rebirth. In the epistemological and and rebirth. In the epistemological and psychological sense, moksha connotes psychological sense, moksha connotes freedom, self-realization and self-freedom, self-realization and self-knowledge. knowledge.

► Q. What is The NibbanaQ. What is The Nibbana► A.A. Nibbana is the earliest and most common Nibbana is the earliest and most common

term used to describe the goal of the term used to describe the goal of the BuddhistBuddhist path. It has several meanings.The literal path. It has several meanings.The literal meaning is "blowing out" or "quenching.“meaning is "blowing out" or "quenching.“

► Within the Buddhist tradition, this term has Within the Buddhist tradition, this term has commonly been interpreted as the extinction commonly been interpreted as the extinction of the "three fires", or "three poisons",passion, of the "three fires", or "three poisons",passion, ((ragaraga), aversion (dota) and ignorance (), aversion (dota) and ignorance (mohamoha).When these ).When these firesfires are extinguished, release are extinguished, release from the cycle of rebirth (samsara) is attained.from the cycle of rebirth (samsara) is attained.

► Nibbāna derives from the prefix ni- (‘out,’ Nibbāna derives from the prefix ni- (‘out,’ ‘without,’ ‘finished’ or ‘ended’), and vāna , ‘without,’ ‘finished’ or ‘ended’), and vāna , (‘to blow,’ ‘to go,’ ‘to move,’ or in another (‘to blow,’ ‘to go,’ ‘to move,’ or in another sense a ‘restraint’). It can be used in sense a ‘restraint’). It can be used in relation to fire or burning, meaning relation to fire or burning, meaning extinguishing, quenching, extinguishing, quenching,

► cooling, or coolness—but not extinction. In cooling, or coolness—but not extinction. In reference to the mind, it means peaceful, reference to the mind, it means peaceful, refreshed, and happy: an absence of refreshed, and happy: an absence of agitation and anxiety. Similarly, it refers to agitation and anxiety. Similarly, it refers to the end of defilements: of greed, hatred and the end of defilements: of greed, hatred and delusion. The commentaries delusion. The commentaries

► and sub-commentaries usually define and sub-commentaries usually define Nibbāna as the end of or escape from Nibbāna as the end of or escape from craving, which binds people to repeated craving, which binds people to repeated existenceexistence

►Nibbana is the final extinguishing of all desires and bonds and mental modifications arising from them. Nibbana is the final extinguishing of all desires and bonds and mental modifications arising from them.

► It is resting in total and uncoditional peace. It a spiritual sense, it is liberation from evils of impermanence, change and samsara and te dissolution of the It is resting in total and uncoditional peace. It a spiritual sense, it is liberation from evils of impermanence, change and samsara and te dissolution of the transmigrating individual ego.transmigrating individual ego.

We do not know what Nibbana is like. We may We do not know what Nibbana is like. We may speak about it metaphorically, but we cannot really speak about it metaphorically, but we cannot really describe it, because in that state there is no describe it, because in that state there is no experience, no knowing and no knower and experience, no knowing and no knower and observer either.observer either.

In Buddhism, Nibbana is the highest and ultimate In Buddhism, Nibbana is the highest and ultimate goal. The Buddha emphatically advised his follower goal. The Buddha emphatically advised his follower to aim for Nibbana rather a place in a higher world to aim for Nibbana rather a place in a higher world of gods. He state that heavenly life was a great of gods. He state that heavenly life was a great distraction for a monk on path of salvation.distraction for a monk on path of salvation.

►The Buddha did not encourage speculation by The Buddha did not encourage speculation by the initiates on the condition of Nibbana, the initiates on the condition of Nibbana, because of the purely subjective nature of the because of the purely subjective nature of the experience. But an understanding of Nibbana experience. But an understanding of Nibbana was considered essential for the monks to was considered essential for the monks to continue their practice on the Eightfold path. continue their practice on the Eightfold path.

►What is the state of NibbanaWhat is the state of Nibbana► Is it a passing away into some void, into some Is it a passing away into some void, into some

nothingness, into some state that is without a center nothingness, into some state that is without a center and without a boundary?and without a boundary?

► If it is liberation, passing away or dying out, then into If it is liberation, passing away or dying out, then into what?what?

► What happens when a person attains Nibbana?What happens when a person attains Nibbana?► Is Nibbana a kind of death from purely mental point Is Nibbana a kind of death from purely mental point

of view?of view?► There are some of the difficult question we try to There are some of the difficult question we try to

answer here..answer here..

►When the Arhat passes away, he attaint the When the Arhat passes away, he attaint the realm where there is nothing, “neither arising, realm where there is nothing, “neither arising, nor passing away, neither standing still nor nor passing away, neither standing still nor being born, nor dying”.being born, nor dying”.

► It is Nibbana, which is unborn, without It is Nibbana, which is unborn, without source, uncreated and unformed real into source, uncreated and unformed real into which escape is possible for the beings through which escape is possible for the beings through cessation of craving.cessation of craving.

►We are not sure whether Nibbana is a state of We are not sure whether Nibbana is a state of bliss or not, unlike in Hinduism where we are bliss or not, unlike in Hinduism where we are explicitly told that Self-realization leads to explicitly told that Self-realization leads to experience of unbound bliss (Brhamanada). experience of unbound bliss (Brhamanada).

►We are also not sure what happens when an We are also not sure what happens when an Arhat who has attained Nibbana passes away.Arhat who has attained Nibbana passes away.

►Does he continue to exists or cease to texist?Does he continue to exists or cease to texist?►The Buddha did not encourage any speculaton The Buddha did not encourage any speculaton

on this and did not reveal anything about it, on this and did not reveal anything about it, because in his opinion such knowledge in no because in his opinion such knowledge in no way would contribute to the absence of way would contribute to the absence of passion, sorrow or attainment of Nibbana.passion, sorrow or attainment of Nibbana.

►Another question regarding Nibbana that is Another question regarding Nibbana that is

difficult to answer is whether an Arhat who has difficult to answer is whether an Arhat who has attained Nibbana would remain continuously in attained Nibbana would remain continuously in that state while he still remains in this world, or that state while he still remains in this world, or moves in and out of it from time to time. moves in and out of it from time to time.

►We are not sure, what happens when an Arhat We are not sure, what happens when an Arhat remains alive in this world. We do not know remains alive in this world. We do not know whether his mind becomes empty all the time or whether his mind becomes empty all the time or intermittently. We also do not know in what intermittently. We also do not know in what manner and condition he continues to remain manner and condition he continues to remain engaged with the outside the world.engaged with the outside the world.

►While he may experience higher states of While he may experience higher states of consciousness (jhana) in mediation, he may consciousness (jhana) in mediation, he may still vacillates between the duality of still vacillates between the duality of perception and complete absorbtion. Since his perception and complete absorbtion. Since his sense remain active, he may still experience sense remain active, he may still experience some form of individually. some form of individually.

► We are not sure, what happens when he leaves We are not sure, what happens when he leaves this world. We do not know whether he ceases this world. We do not know whether he ceases to exists at tall of exists in some manner. Even to exists at tall of exists in some manner. Even the Buddha did not provide us with a clear the Buddha did not provide us with a clear answer. answer.

►Probably in order to resole this confusion, the Probably in order to resole this confusion, the followers of Mahayana Buddhism proposed te followers of Mahayana Buddhism proposed te concept of Bodhisattavas deferring their concept of Bodhisattavas deferring their salvation for the welfare of the people. salvation for the welfare of the people.

►These Bodhisattavas are beings of great merit These Bodhisattavas are beings of great merit who can attain Nibbana at will. But because of who can attain Nibbana at will. But because of their unbound compassion, they sacrifice their their unbound compassion, they sacrifice their own liberation and work of the liberation of own liberation and work of the liberation of others. others.

Developent of Nibbana in Buddhist Scriptures : Developent of Nibbana in Buddhist Scriptures :

This is peace, this is exquisite – the resolution of This is peace, this is exquisite – the resolution of all fabrications, the relinquishment of all all fabrications, the relinquishment of all acquuisitions, the ending of craving, dissassion, acquuisitions, the ending of craving, dissassion, cessation; Nibbana. Anguttara Nikaya III, 32cessation; Nibbana. Anguttara Nikaya III, 32

There is no fire like passion,No loss like anger,No pain like the aggregates,No ease other than peace.

Hunger : the foremost illness.Fabrications: the foremost pain.For one knowing this truthAs it actually is,Unbinding is the foremost ease.

Freedom from illness : the foremost good fortune.Contentment: the foremost wealth.Trust: the foremost kinship.Unbinding : the foremost ease. Dhammapada 202-205

.

There is that dimension where there is neither earth, nor water, nor fire, no wind, neither dimension of the infinitude of space, nor dimension of the infinitude of consciousness, nor dimension of nothingness, nor dimension of neither perception nor non-perception; neither this world, nor the next world, nor sun, nor moon.

And there, I say, there is neither coming, nor going, nor stasis; neither away nor arising: without stance, without foundation, without support (mental subject). Thus, just this, is the end of stress. Udana VIII.1

There is, monks, an unborn – unbecome- unmade- unfabricated. If there were not that unborn –unbecome- unmade- unfabricated, there would not be the case that emancipation from the born-become-made-fabricated would be discerned. But precisely because there is an unborn-unbecome-unmade-unfabricated, emancipation from the born-become-made-fabricated is discerned. Udana VIII.3

► Monks, for a disciple of noble ones who is consummate in view, an individual who has broken through (to Monks, for a disciple of noble ones who is consummate in view, an individual who has broken through (to stream-entry), the suffering and stress that is totally ended and extinguished is far greater. stream-entry), the suffering and stress that is totally ended and extinguished is far greater.

► That which remains in the state of having at most seven remaining lifetimes is next to nothing: its not a That which remains in the state of having at most seven remaining lifetimes is next to nothing: its not a hundredth, a thousandth, a one hundred-thousandth, when compared with the previous mass of suffering.hundredth, a thousandth, a one hundred-thousandth, when compared with the previous mass of suffering.

► That’s how great the benefit is of breaking through to the Dhamma, momks. That’s how great the benefit That’s how great the benefit is of breaking through to the Dhamma, momks. That’s how great the benefit is of obtaining the Dhamma eye. Samyutta Nikaya XIII.1is of obtaining the Dhamma eye. Samyutta Nikaya XIII.1

► Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for this world. Samyutta Nikaya XXII. 59Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for this world. Samyutta Nikaya XXII. 59► Some are born in the human wormb, Some are born in the human wormb,

evildoers in hell,evildoers in hell,

those on the good course go to heaventhose on the good course go to heaven

while those without effluent :while those without effluent :

totally unbound. Dhammapada 126.totally unbound. Dhammapada 126.

► The Vimuttimagga which was written as a book of practical instruction with brevity in its style, refers to Nibbana The Vimuttimagga which was written as a book of practical instruction with brevity in its style, refers to Nibbana just for confirming the description in the Nikaya.just for confirming the description in the Nikaya.

► Thus, Nibbana is spoken of as the destruction of all activity, the abandoning of all defilements, the eradication of Thus, Nibbana is spoken of as the destruction of all activity, the abandoning of all defilements, the eradication of craving, the becoming stainless and tranquil.craving, the becoming stainless and tranquil.

► The Visuddhimagga, Nibbana has peace as its characteristic. Its function is immorality, or its function is to comfort. Its The Visuddhimagga, Nibbana has peace as its characteristic. Its function is immorality, or its function is to comfort. Its manifestation is signlessness, or non-conceptualization. All this may be regarded as the difinition of Nibbana. manifestation is signlessness, or non-conceptualization. All this may be regarded as the difinition of Nibbana.

► Buddhaghosa has rejected the assertion that Nibbana is non-existent or mythical. Buddhaghosa has rejected the assertion that Nibbana is non-existent or mythical.

► The Abhidhammatthasangaha which is The Abhidhammatthasangaha which is regarded as an epitome of the entire regarded as an epitome of the entire Abhidhamma-pitaka speaks of Nibbana as Abhidhamma-pitaka speaks of Nibbana as trancendent (lokuttala) that is, beyond the trancendent (lokuttala) that is, beyond the worl of mind and body or five aggregates.worl of mind and body or five aggregates.

► Its to be realised by the intuitive wisdom of Its to be realised by the intuitive wisdom of the fFour Paths of Sainthood; it becomes the fFour Paths of Sainthood; it becomes then an object of the Paths and Fruits. then an object of the Paths and Fruits.

► Its called Nibbana because it’s a departure Its called Nibbana because it’s a departure (nikkhantatta) from that craving which is (nikkhantatta) from that craving which is call vana, lusting.call vana, lusting.

►Nibbana in the modern Interpretation Nibbana in the modern Interpretation ►A. Nibbana is AnnihilationA. Nibbana is Annihilation►B Nibbana is IndescribableB Nibbana is Indescribable►C Nibbana is a Positive return to the AbsoluteC Nibbana is a Positive return to the Absolute►D Nibbana is an ethical state D Nibbana is an ethical state ►E Nibbana is consists in more that one aspect E Nibbana is consists in more that one aspect

A. Nibbana is Annihilation A. Nibbana is Annihilation

► The leading scholars in this direction are The leading scholars in this direction are Childers, Burnouf, D’Alwis and few others. Childers, Burnouf, D’Alwis and few others.

► Childer’s opinion, Nibbana like a state of Childer’s opinion, Nibbana like a state of tranguility and bliss are applicable only to tranguility and bliss are applicable only to Arhanship. And finally, he claims that the Arhanship. And finally, he claims that the original teaching of the Buddha is that original teaching of the Buddha is that annihilation, and that to suppose that the annihilation, and that to suppose that the Buddhist Nibbana is the same as that of Buddhist Nibbana is the same as that of Hinduism is to suppose that Buddha on such a Hinduism is to suppose that Buddha on such a crucial question replied upon borrowing from crucial question replied upon borrowing from the creed he wished to subvert.the creed he wished to subvert.

B. Nibbana is indescribable B. Nibbana is indescribable

► Nibbana as a mystical state which is Nibbana as a mystical state which is indescribale seems to be generally accepted indescribale seems to be generally accepted and considerably supported by some and considerably supported by some scholars. scholars.

►Max Muller shows that Nibbana can be seen Max Muller shows that Nibbana can be seen at three levels viz : 1. as the entrance of the at three levels viz : 1. as the entrance of the soul into rest for ever. 2 as a paradise for an soul into rest for ever. 2 as a paradise for an ordinary man and 3. as a philosophical myth ordinary man and 3. as a philosophical myth grounded on the ambiguity of the term grounded on the ambiguity of the term Nibbana itself. Nibbana itself.

► As such, Nibbana is a mystical experience: it As such, Nibbana is a mystical experience: it is inefferable or indescribable. is inefferable or indescribable.

C. Nibbana is a positive returns to the C. Nibbana is a positive returns to the Absolute Absolute

► Its represented by some scholars who Its represented by some scholars who understand the concept of Nibbana either as understand the concept of Nibbana either as Absolute or as Godhead or as eternal and Absolute or as Godhead or as eternal and pure Consciousness- the Divine Principla, pure Consciousness- the Divine Principla, the Ultimate Source of all existence. the Ultimate Source of all existence.

►Mrs. Rhys David’s belief that the goal of Mrs. Rhys David’s belief that the goal of early Buddhism is no Nibbana. She does not early Buddhism is no Nibbana. She does not think that original Buddhism is world-think that original Buddhism is world-negating or atheistic, much less, souless. negating or atheistic, much less, souless.

C. Nibbana is a positive returns to the C. Nibbana is a positive returns to the Absolute Absolute

► She insists that the original goal of Buddhism She insists that the original goal of Buddhism was not Nibbana but Attha, the well or aim. was not Nibbana but Attha, the well or aim. The evidence found by her is King The evidence found by her is King Bimbisara’s address to village headman on Bimbisara’s address to village headman on ‘attha’ to be instructed by the Buddha.‘attha’ to be instructed by the Buddha.

► She finds that this ‘attha’ has been replaced She finds that this ‘attha’ has been replaced by samboda (enlightenment), abhinnana by samboda (enlightenment), abhinnana (knowledge), upasama(quite) and Nibbana.(knowledge), upasama(quite) and Nibbana.

► She claimed that the Buddha accepted the She claimed that the Buddha accepted the spiritual environment of his time: the spiritual environment of his time: the Brahman-Atman equation.Brahman-Atman equation.

D. Nibbana is an ethical state D. Nibbana is an ethical state

► Its scientifically based on the descriptions Its scientifically based on the descriptions given to the state of a person who has given to the state of a person who has attained Nibbana which is a psychological attained Nibbana which is a psychological fact. The conclusion arrived at is not fact. The conclusion arrived at is not metaphysical but ethical and psychical.metaphysical but ethical and psychical.

► Johansson who tried to describe Nibbana as Johansson who tried to describe Nibbana as psychological fact. He sees Citta as psychological fact. He sees Citta as distinguished from Vinnana with the core of distinguished from Vinnana with the core of personality, the empirical, functional self, the personality, the empirical, functional self, the whole Buddhist system is to purity this Citta. whole Buddhist system is to purity this Citta.

D. Nibbana is an ethical state D. Nibbana is an ethical state

► According to him, when Nibbana is reached, According to him, when Nibbana is reached, the knowledge arises that the citta is free the knowledge arises that the citta is free from all defilement, and thus Nibbana is the from all defilement, and thus Nibbana is the state of citta created when the obsessions state of citta created when the obsessions and other imperections have ultimately and other imperections have ultimately disappeared and have been replaced by disappeared and have been replaced by understanding, peace and health. understanding, peace and health.

►He comes to the conclusion that the He comes to the conclusion that the Nibbana of the Nikaya is then a transformed Nibbana of the Nikaya is then a transformed state of personality and consciousness. state of personality and consciousness.