008-Buddhism in daily life - Explain Nirvana to Me

In the course of Alexander the Great's campaigns, India came to have a kingdom in the northwest of the subcontinent, which was presided over by a Greek, King Menandros (Indian: Milinda), in the 2nd century before the year zero.

The work "Milindaphana", written in the Theravada Buddhist language of the time, reproduces the conversation between the king and the monk Nagasena, and explains the common understanding of Buddhism at that time.

From the work "Milindaphana" comes the following dialogue between the two men about nirvana:

"Venerable Nagasena," said the king, "can nirvana be described in form or shape by comparison, or explained figuratively?"

The monk answered him, "Venerable king, that is not possible; nirvana cannot be compared to anything."

The king said: "Venerable monk, I don't agree with that, Nirvana exists, there must be comparisons".

The monk answered him: "Venerable, I will convince you with an example, so I have a question, is there a world ocean, a universal ocean on earth"?

To which the king replied, "Yes, of course, all the seas of this world are united".

Now, venerable ruler: "How much water is there in this ocean, and how many living beings can be found in it"?

At this the king became very calm, then he replied, "It is impossible to measure the contents of the sea, and to determine the creatures living in it".

"But my king, the sea and its inhabitants exist, just as you say that nirvana exists, then everything should also be measurable".

Then the king said, "This question is far beyond my ability, I cannot do it".

"You see, venerable king," replied the monk, "although the world sea exists, it cannot be measured, nor can the living beings be counted or determined, just as Nirvana cannot be determined, although it also exists." "No comparison is possible, no form can reflect the size of the sea, no shape can be used as a comparison".

"But as an analogy I give you this: of the gods likewise no form, no size, no shape can be described, there are no comparisons for them." "So it is with Nirvana, where likewise no shape can be explained". "But Nirvana can still be described".

"Nirvana is like the lotus flower, free from all passion. It is like the water, it cools and quenches the thirst, it is like a medicine for the people, it provides a refuge, it soothes the diseases, it is a drink. It is like the sea that swallows the deceased, without a shore, it never overflows, never becomes full, it is full of unknown creatures. Innumerable waves of knowledge cover Nirvana, just as the sea is covered with them. Nirvana, like food, is the preservation of life, it gives the necessary powers, it gives the necessary beauty to all things and beings, it relieves the hardships of men, it, like food, relieves hunger."

"Nirvana is also like the spaces that neither come into being, nor pass away, nor age, nor die, nor appear, nor disappear, which exist infinitely and without limit."

"The Nirvana, like the precious stones, can fulfill all desires, awaken great joy and spread light".

"The Nirvana, like the noble woods, can spread beautiful fragrances, it can, like the foam of butter oil, take on a perfect color, smell incredibly good of virtue, and taste perfect.

"The Nirvana, like the peak of the mountains, is majestically towering, unshakable, almost inaccessible, waiting for the conquerors without passion". "It does not bend, does not cling, has, like the peaks, no feelings".

Thousands of candles can be lit by the light of one candle, without its light diminishing

- Buddha -

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