Nirvana - Liberation - Enlightenment

Nirvana:

Interpreted as referring to a flame (namely, the flame of passion) that has been blown out, this was the word used to describe the goal of early Buddhists. It was used as an equivalent for liberation but also for death followed by no further rebirth. Thus, it was the focus of such sects as the Sarvastivadins but was replaced by enlightenment among later Mahayana Buddhists, whose goal was to stay in the world and help others.

---Red Pine---