Nirvana

The term nirvana originally referred to an extinguished fire. In Buddhism, it is used to describe the condition that exists when the Three Fires of delusion, desire, and anger are extinguished. This is also called "incomplete nirvana," because a being who achieves this state still has a body and is still subject to the laws of karma, and thus suffering. When the Buddha attained Enlightenment under the pippala (Ficus religiosa) tree at Bodhgaya, he achieved incomplete nirvana. When he expired between the twin shala trees (Shorea robusta) and his body was cremated at Kushinagara, he achieved complete nirvana. Thus, complete nirvana rises from the ashes of being. In the Shurangama Sutra, the Buddha says, "To eliminate the perception of nirvana is to liberate all beings."

---Red Pine---