What is nirvana?
The extinguishing - ‘blowing out’ - of the three fires
The state where all greed, hatred and delusion are ended
The cessation of suffering
An escape from Samsara
What is parinirvana?
Final Nirvana
Nirvana without remainder
What does nirvana with remainder mean?
Extinguishment of the three fires while still being alive, in your body with the 5 aggregates
What does nirvana without remainder mean?
Extinguishment of the three fires at death
Complete freedom from the cycle of samsara
What does cataphatic mean?
Affirmative, positive
Refers to statements used to say what an object or concept is
(as opposed to what is isn’t - apophatic)
What does apophatic mean?
Negative
Refers to statements that set out what an object or concept is not, recognising the limited nature of human language and concepts to articulate ultimate reality accurately
Name the four categories that descriptions of Nirvana can be divided into
Cataphatic (positive)
Apophatic (negative)
Symbolic
Paradoxical
Quote Nagarjuna on the differences between Samsara and Nirvana
Nagarjuna - a Mahayana Buddhist Monk
“There is not the slightest difference between the two”
