The Path to Nirvana - Buddhadasa BhikkuThe rupa-nama state is the primarily sign of enlightenment. The practitioners continuously follow the above instructions in the ‘Vipassana Practice’. The path to enlightenment is explained in the Sixteen Knowledges of Insight (ñãna). Buddhadasa Bhikkhu summarized the Sixteen Knowledges of Insight into two kinds, namely, dhammatthiti-nana (the knowledge comprehending the actual happening of things) and nibbãna ñãna (the knowledge realizing nirvana). The dhammatthiti ñãna is from ‘Analytical Knowledge of Body and Mind’ leading up to attaining the impermanent and non-self state. And the nirvana nana begins with ‘fading-way, cessation and relinquishment. This nana deals with nirvana and helps practitioners attain nirvana. They will become a noble one.
The Buddhadasa stated in his book ‘Nirvana for Everyone’ that nirvana is the highest goal of living beings. Everybody must study it throughout his/her life because nirvana is inseparable from one’s life. Again, among the three realms of existence, the Human World is a suitable realm for studying nirvana more than the other realms. As is well-known, the Buddha attained the supreme truth in the Human World. In the study of nirvana, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu advises us to see nirvana in the nature surrounding us. Nature teaches us about nirvana all the time.
The study of nirvana in daily life is possible in order to have a better understanding of and a greater interest in nirvana’s meaning. When seeing a fire go out or something cooling down, look for the meaning of nirvana in it. When bathing or drinking ice water, when a breeze blows or rain falls, take notice of the meaning of nirvana. Whenever a fever subsides, a swelling goes down, or a headache goes away, recognize the meaning of nirvana as found in spiritual deathlessness. If any one sees this fact, they will personally experience that we can survive only through this kind of nirvana. We do not survive just because of the rice and food that so infatuates people. We realise that everybody must have this thing called ‘nirvana’ and must depend on it as their live’ sustenance.
… When perspiring, sleeping comfortably, or eating one’s fill, see the meaning of nirvana. When seeing an animal with all its fierceness and danger tamed away, see the meaning of nirvana in every moment. The mind will regularly incline towards contentment in nibbana and this helps the mind to flow more easily along the path of nirvana.
In the above quote, Buddhadasa initially explains to us and helps us understand and see the importance of nirvana. Nirvana is important to human beings in daily life. It cannot be separated from our lives. And nirvana is not just about passing away of the Buddhas or arahants. By contrast, nirvana is the essence of our life. We cannot live without nirvana.
In order to encourage us to understand nirvana as one part of our lives, Buddhadasa pointed out to us to see the importance of nirvana in our daily life:
Whenever you find coolness in your experience, mark that coolness firmly in your heart, and breathe out and in. Breathing is cool, breathing out is cool. In cool, out cool ---do this for a little while. This is an excellent lesson that will help you to become a lover of nirvana (nibbanakama) more quickly. The consciousness will develop in an enlightened way more than if you do not practise like this. Naturally nirvana --- the unconscious quenching of defilement --- will occur more often and easily. This is the best way to help nature (understand and study nirvana).
Whenever you find coolness in your experience, mark that coolness firmly in your heart, and breathe out and in. Breathing is cool, breathing out is cool. In cool, out cool ---do this for a little while. This is an excellent lesson that will help you to become a lover of nirvana (nibbanakama) more quickly. The consciousness will develop in an enlightened way more than if you do not practise like this. Naturally nirvana --- the unconscious quenching of defilement --- will occur more often and easily. This is the best way to help nature (understand and study nirvana).
In conclusion, I will quote the last expression about nirvana by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu that he left in his notebook in the hospital before he died.
Nirvana in a Direct, Broad, & Most Concise Sense:
"state" that is without anything oppressive or harmful[both physically and mentally, both oneself and others]
"state" that is without anything to be suffered or endured,whether physically, mentally, or spiritually.
"state" that is without any dukkha,both directly, and secretly-profoundly
cool : the quenching of heathowever many levels, however many kinds
"state" that is without anything oppressive or harmful[both physically and mentally, both oneself and others]
"state" that is without anything to be suffered or endured,whether physically, mentally, or spiritually.
"state" that is without any dukkha,both directly, and secretly-profoundly
cool : the quenching of heathowever many levels, however many kinds
Why is the Way to Nibbàna So Long?
Simply because the stupidity (avijjà ) in our own heads is so long.
Just try to shrink the length of the stupidity in our own headsso that it shortens, the way to nibbà na will shorten all by itself.
Shrink avijjà by genuinely and increasingly studying
impermanence, dukkha-ness (unsatisfactoriness), and not-self, including also suññatà ( Emptiness one’s self )and tathatà (suchness): the way to nibbàna will shorten without a doubt!
Simply because the stupidity (avijjà ) in our own heads is so long.
Just try to shrink the length of the stupidity in our own headsso that it shortens, the way to nibbà na will shorten all by itself.
Shrink avijjà by genuinely and increasingly studying
impermanence, dukkha-ness (unsatisfactoriness), and not-self, including also suññatà ( Emptiness one’s self )and tathatà (suchness): the way to nibbàna will shorten without a doubt!
As soon as one sees the luminous mind, temporary nirvana manifests bit by bit. Once realizing tathatà, nirvana is here and now.
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