The Path to Nirvana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about Buddhist meditation practices. For other uses of the term, see Nirvana
(disambiguation).
In the religion Buddhism, Meditations carry a higher weight in One's practice to attain Nirvana.
But, Dana, giving Alms
and Shila, observing at least the basic five disciplines (Panchasheela, in Pali) are also vital for
One's practice.
In the Maha Satipattana Sutta in Digha Nikaya, the Buddha describes Success of Four Pattana
Meditations as: One who is honest to himself and practice this four Pattana Meditations without
a delay, he should be willing to achieve Arahat or Anagami level, in seven days to seven years in
time which would ultimately direct to Nirvana
The Buddha said: "One who is willing to attain Nirvana, has to understand Four Noble Truths.
These Noble Truths are the key to attain Nirvana,without proper understanding of Suffering,
Cause of Suffering, Relief of Suffering and the way to end Suffering, These are the four Noble
Truths."

Contents

1 Dana, Sila, Samadhi, Pagngna

2 Four Sathipattana Meditation

3 Right way to Nirvana

4 See also

Dana, Sila, Samadhi, Pagngna

Steps to Nirvana
Dana & Sila practices generate/make thoughts, (Punya Karma, in Pali), that would create wellbeing within Samsara. One to give away things, which oneself earned through hard effort might
know an easy task. In order to complete Dana Punya Karma, one has to give Alms without a
thought of any return.
Observing Sila, or Shiksha, requires much more effort than Dana. Sila is also a Punya Karma,
however, basic discipline in oneself would create a powerful platform for such person to attain
Nirvana.
The Buddha said: "One who knows that oneself is not breaking these five root disciplines, shall
not fear to live anywhere"
Main article: Panca sila

Four Sathipattana Meditation

The most important Meditation practices laid down by the Buddha are the Four Sathipattana
Meditations. They guide one's mind to understand reality behind the connection between Mind
and Body. They increase the Wisdom of dividing Nma and Rpa, Nmarpa Paricceda Gnna.
The word Sathipattana means being in Mindfulness.

Kayanupassana (Contemplation/observation on the Body)

Vedananupassana (Contemplation on Feelings)

Cittanupassana (Contemplation on Thoughts)

Dhammanupassana (Contemplation on Dhammas)

Pattana and Anupassana carries the same meaning. All beings associate some kind of a body,
Kya in Pali, and humans associate or link up with a body which is made up with Patawi
(Feeling/sensation of Hardness), po (Feeling/sensation of Liquidity), Thejo (Feeling/sensation
of hot or mild temperature) and Vayo (Feeling/sensation of Air).
Kayanupassana meditation starts from understanding the true nature of body. The body is the
beginning of all sorrow, anger, unwise, likeness, and ultimately Suffering.
The Buddha always said:

"Pagncha Upadanaskadha Dhukkha"

"One's birth, sickness, death and all affairs along life is suffering. Whatsoever feeling, or
thought generated by mind during One's interaction with world or mind through these six
bases is Suffering"

Right way to Nirvana

"It starts with understanding of suffering, not by mere/simple mind, but by the purified
mind."

.
The Sallekha Sutta is one of the key suttas that describes the true meaning of Practice towards
attaining Nirvana. This describes that Right View (Samma Ditti) is the most important factor that
Buddhists should develop to start to become selfless.

See also

Vipassana

BuddhaNet's Buddhist Studies: A Basic Buddhism Guide

Vipassana Meditation Website

[show]

Buddhism topics

Categories:

Buddhist meditation

Theravada Buddhist concepts

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This page was last modified on 18 May 2015, at 15:06.

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