Nirvana Is A Verb, Not A Place

[camerata]

A Verb for Nirvana

by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Back in the days of the Buddha, nirvana (nibbana) had a verb of its own: nibbuti. It meant to “go out,” like a flame. Because fire was thought to be in a state of entrapment as it burned — both clinging to and trapped by the fuel on which it fed — its going out was seen as an unbinding. To go out was to be unbound. Sometimes another verb was used — parinibbuti — with the “pari-” meaning total or all-around, to indicate that the person unbound, unlike fire unbound, would never again be trapped.

Now that nirvana has become an English word, it should have its own English verb to convey the sense of “being unbound” as well. At present, we say that a person “reaches” nirvana or “enters” nirvana, implying that nibbana is a place where you can go. But nirvana is most emphatically not a place. It’s realized only when the mind stops defining itself in terms of place: of here, or there, or between the two.

This may seem like a word-chopper’s problem — what can a verb or two do to your practice? — but the idea of nirvana as a place has created severe misunderstandings in the past, and it could easily create misunderstandings now. There was a time when some philosophers in India reasoned that if nirvana is one place and samsara another, then entering into nirvana leaves you stuck: you’ve limited your range of movement, for you can’t get back to samsara. Thus to solve this problem they invented what they thought was a new kind of nirvana: an unestablished nirvana, in which one could be in both places — nirvana and samsara — at once.

Full article.

[lungmi]

Very good link!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I promised to sabaisabai to post some basic linguistic facts about modern semantics and semiology. I prepare, give me time.

[Jawnie]

Just as the word "nirvana" can not be a noun (a place), it can not be a verb (an action or doing). The sutras are clear: "Therefore, Sariputra, in Emptiness there is no form, no feeling, no recognition, no volitions..." (Heart Sutra)

Edited March 25, 2011 by Jawnie

[Brucenkhamen]

Just as the word "nirvana" can not be a noun (a place), it can not be a verb (an action or doing). The sutras are clear: "Therefore, Sariputra, in Emptiness there is no form, no feeling, no recognition, no volitions..." (Heart Sutra)

You appear to be assuming that emptiness (shunyata) and enlightenment (nirvana) are synonymous, rather it's through realising the empty nature of things that nirvana can be realised.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9A%C5%ABnyat%C4%81

[StreetCowboy]

I thought it was a state.

SC

[rockyysdt]

I thought it was a state.

SC

We perceive an infinite world through an extremely limited range of senses.

Perhaps the only way to ever know the answer is through actual experience.

[sabaijai]

Nibbana/nirvana is technically parsed as an adjective, syntax-wise. However it's an adjective most used as a noun. Just as the word 'buddha' itself - 'awakened' - is an adjective that is most often used as a noun (though technically an adjective). Still, it's not a verb. A close reading of Aj Thanissaro's text shows that he is not claiming that nibbana is a verb. He is postulating the most appropriate verb associated with nibbana.

So 'blown out' or 'cooled down' - both verb phrases used as adjective - are better translations than 'blowing out' or 'cooled down'. In other words, 'extinct' rather than 'extinction' -- clearly a state of being that is not subject to impermanence and thus not an action..

[rockyysdt]

Nibbana/nirvana is technically parsed as an adjective, syntax-wise. However it's an adjective most used as a noun. Just as the word 'buddha' itself - 'awakened' - is an adjective that is most often used as a noun (though technically an adjective). Still, it's not a verb. A close reading of Aj Thanissaro's text shows that he is not claiming that nibbana is a verb. He is postulating the most appropriate verb associated with nibbana.

So 'blown out' or 'cooled down' - both verb phrases used as adjective - are better translations than 'blowing out' or 'cooled down'. In other words, 'extinct' rather than 'extinction' -- clearly a state of being that is not subject to impermanence and thus not an action..

As awakened is an adjective isn't awakening or the process of awakening a verb?

Some are suggesting Nirvanna/Nibbana is similar.

Our thinking is guided or led by language.

Another example of deficient language, the "self" is a grammatical problem.

We say, "I am happy", or "I am sad" but what/who is happy or sad?

Rather than a process with memory our language supports our notion of self, or soul, or spirit, or someone/something inside.

The Buddha specifically says that there is nothing permanent inside which can be re born.

Our language fails us with 5th century interpretations of what the Buddha meant when he spoke of things such as Nirvana/Nibbana, No Self, & Awakening.

The Buddhas teachings were transmitted aurally until 100BC when these were written down.

Edited February 1, 2012 by rockyysdt

[jambco984]

Sorry it appears it is a place.

Never been there but Google doesn't lie!!

Feeling rather childish today so please ignore me ;-)

[sabaijai]

As awakened is an adjective isn't awakening or the process of awakening a verb?

As used twice in your own sentence, 'awakening' is a gerundive, which functions as a noun, syntactically speaking.