Enlightenment? (Buddhism, followers, eternal, scriptures, Buddhism)

[MaddLlama]

One of the goals of Buddhism is to reach Nirvana, right? Has anyone else other than the Buddha himself ever achieved this?

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

One of the goals of Buddhism is to reach Nirvana, right? Has anyone else other than the Buddha himself ever achieved this?

According to Buddhism, lots of people. For example, if you read Buddhist scriptures, some of them state which of the Buddha followers attained nibbana and when.

[Random]

Define "Nirvana". A deathless, bornless state of being? Paradoxically becoming the Uncreated or Eternal? Being all of these things in one life? Does one live Nirvana? What benefits does it bring? How does know one has attained it? Is it a feeling that endures? But how can it be that when feelings are Anatta in Buddhism?

Or is it the synomn Buddha chose for ones own dissolution, the nihilistic End of all impermanent things, including the Self? Either death is Transformation or there is nothing to transform into. Which is it?

Lots are said to have attained it, but they tend to get away with defining it by saying it's Indescribable, which is either: A) Very convenient as answers go, and they really don't know, or, B) It really cannot be described in words.

As you might guess, talking about Nirvana bugs me. Inasmuch as everyone else doesn't seem to know, I don't either.

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by Godlike

Define "Nirvana". A deathless, bornless state of being? Paradoxically becoming the Uncreated or Eternal? Being all of these things in one life? Does one live Nirvana? What benefits does it bring? How does know one has attained it? Is it a feeling that endures? But how can it be that when feelings are Anatta in Buddhism?

Or is it the synomn Buddha chose for ones own dissolution, the nihilistic End of all impermanent things, including the Self? Either death is Transformation or there is nothing to transform into. Which is it?

That seems a rather negative view. Enlightenment is also known as awakening, awakening to the truth and attaining the peace that accompanies that truth.

Originally Posted by Godlike

-Lots are said to have attained it, but they tend to get away with defining it by saying it's Indescribable, which is either: A) Very convenient as answers go, and they really don't know, or, B) It really cannot be described in words.

As you might guess, talking about Nirvana bugs me. Inasmuch as everyone else doesn't seem to know, I don't either.

The answer is B). The only way you're going to understand it is by reaching for it yourself, no easy to digest truths in this path i'm afraid.

[koan]

Nirvana, Is enlightement used to not let mundane issues bother one. E.g. the world is full of **** and being able to walk through without it sticking.
Paranirvana, is non returning.

[koan]

Nirvana, is enlightenment used for escaping the mundane. i.e. The world is full of excretement, and being able to walk through without it sticking.
Paranirvarna is non returning.

[koan]

Here is the formula for enlightenment. We exist, we don't exist. We both exist and don't exist. We niether exist or don't exist.

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