English Literature – Article ☆ Buddha Purnima Special– Nirvana – The Highest Happiness ☆ Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

The present times are turbulent indeed. One needs to have peace of mind to tide through the pandemic. There is a greater need to follow the doctrine and the discipline enunciated by the Buddha. His teaching is simple and easy to practice.

On the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima it is worth to share two interesting facts:

 1.   Buddha Purnima is actually 3-in-1:

• • • • • • • Buddha’s Happy Birthday,
            • Day of attaining enlightenment,
            • and also Maha Parinirvana Day!

 2. Buddha was born under a tree in Lumbini, found awakening while meditating under a tree in Gaya, gave his first sermon in  Saranath under a tree and all his important sermons under trees, and also reached Maha Parinirvana under a tree in Kushinagar!

Nirvana is described as the highest happiness – the supreme state of bliss. Those who have attained Nirvana live in utter bliss, free from hatred and mental illness.

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

He said, “Health is the greatest of gifts, contentedness the best riches; trust is the best of relationships, Nirvana the highest happiness.”

Nirvana is the culmination of the quest for perfection and happiness. It is a state to be attained here and now in this very life and not a state that is attained only after death.

Nirvana is the destruction of lust, the destruction of hatred, and the destruction of delusion.

Nirvana is a state of moral perfection. For one who has attained Nibbana, all unwholesome motivational roots such as greed, hatred, and delusion have been fully eradicated with no possibility of their ever becoming active again.

The realization of Nirvana comes with the blossoming of wisdom and brings perfect peace, untarnished happiness, and the stilling of the mind’s compulsive drives.

Nirvana is the destruction of thirst – the thirst of craving. It is the destruction of greed, hatred, and delusion. It is an island of safety amid the raging currents of old age, sickness, and death.

The way for realization of Nirvana is the Noble Eightfold Path – that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

We must guard our thoughts, actions, and speech so that no harm is caused to any living being. We must cultivate loving-kindness and compassion for all sentient beings.

If we seek the serenity of the Buddha, we must learn to meditate like the Buddha. Meditation brings calm and peace of mind. It enables us to live our life optimally.

One also needs to develop and cultivate one’s mind by continuously imbibing spiritual wisdom that is inherent in the teachings of the Buddha.

Let us strive to be a Buddha in the modern world. May all be happy, be peaceful, be liberated!