Reaching Nirvana....

[Vasilisa Jade]

What is the buddhist approach to the concept of nirvana?

I understood nirvana to mean, "to extinguish desire."

Suffering comes from desire....

Where in this is the desire for nirvana reconciled?

It would seem that in order to achieve nirvana, the person must extinguish all desire for nirvana, because when it is not reached there would be suffering due to perceived "failure," even on the most subtle of levels....

 

[SageTree]

I think you nailed it pretty good with the last sentence. Don't cling to anything.

 

[Metempsychosis]

It would seem that in order to achieve nirvana, the person must extinguish all desire for nirvana, because when it is not reached there would be suffering due to perceived "failure," even on the most subtle of levels....

It is extinguished when we know that nirvana is not a state to be "reached " and that all us are already in nirvana,though we may not be aware of it.

 

[Engyo]

"This world is the Buddha's Pure Land. There are not two lands, pure and impure; the difference lies solely in the people themselves." - paraphrasing Nichiren

 

[Vasilisa Jade]

It is extinguished when we know that nirvana is not a state to be "reached " and that all us are already in nirvana,though we may not be aware of it.

Aha, I get it now. This Buddhist dude was talking to me about this, and he pretty much said exactly that. That ideal of letting go of all desire to achieve is extremely similar to some concepts I already knew of, and for some reason I didn't put two and two together.

(In magic workings one of the key parts is cultivating your desire and will, and then extinguishing any lust for result, so that your will can become your reality.)

 

[zenzero]

Friend ST,

Personal understanding is that when an individual has transcended all time/space zones and is totally free, no trace of the individual is perceived or a state of *nothingness* is the state of *nirvana*!

Love & rgds

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Aha, I get it now. This Buddhist dude was talking to me about this, and he pretty much said exactly that. That ideal of letting go of all desire to achieve is extremely similar to some concepts I already knew of, and for some reason I didn't put two and two together.

(In magic workings one of the key parts is cultivating your desire and will, and then extinguishing any lust for result, so that your will can become your reality.)

:yes:

It isn't so much of looking elsewhere, denying this or that, accumulating this or that external "thing", for happiness. It's letting go of attachment, living in the moment, and awakening to the bliss that is here and now.

 

[Metempsychosis]

Aha, I get it now. This Buddhist dude was talking to me about this, and he pretty much said exactly that.

Thank You.

On a side note ,I would like to add that this question (which is based on false reasoning) has been widely used in anti-buddhist propaganda.(This may not be related to the OP)

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Thank You.

On a side note ,I would like to add that this question (which is based on false reasoning) has been widely used in anti-buddhist propaganda.(This may not be related to the OP)

LOL what a joke of an argument in that link! :biglaugh:

What a good way to start off the day.

 

[Metempsychosis]

LOL what a joke of an argument in that link! :biglaugh:

What a good way to start off the day.

Yeah,but it was at the end of the day for me...

 

[Kriya Yogi]

Nirvana is the same as Samadhi or experiencing God's nature through a superconscious experience by practicing Guru given meditation. Samadhi or Nirvana's bliss, joy, ecstatic state, and revealing truth shocks the ego and expands it into unification with God. Its the state when one realizes that life is only a play of light and shade designed to make us overcome and reunite back with our Heavenly Father.

 

[koan]

Nothing to do with "God". Very unbuddhist to suggest it. Nirvana is a mental state, where one has tamed the emotions and thoughts (bit like a vulcan but with a sense of humour). When one has fully realised the cause of suffering, one may then practice the control needed, to realise ones thoughts and emotions are all created, by none other than the mind.

 

[Kriya Yogi]

Nothing to do with "God". Very unbuddhist to suggest it. Nirvana is a mental state, where one has tamed the emotions and thoughts (bit like a vulcan but with a sense of humour). When one has fully realised the cause of suffering, one may then practice the control needed, to realise ones thoughts and emotions are all created, by none other than the mind.

Well I'm new to this forum and am not familiar with all buddhist beliefs. My beliefs are along the same lines as some of buddhists beliefs but not all. Sorry for posting on the wrong forum.