Concept of Nirvana in Buddhism — UPSC Prelims PYQ 2013
?
- The extinction of the flame of desire
- The complete annihilation of self
- A state of bliss and rest
- A mental stage beyond all comprehension
Explanation
Option (a) is correct
- In Buddhism, Nirvana refers to the ultimate goal of spiritual practice, which is the cessation of suffering (dukkha) and liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). This state is achieved by extinguishing desires, attachments, and ignorance, which are the root causes of suffering.
- Nirvana is the Summum Bonumm of Buddhism and the person who has attained the ultimate goal is called Arhat. What is Mokşa to the Hindu, the Tao is to the Chinese mystic, Fana to the Sufi, Eternal Life to the followers of Jesus, that is Nirvāna to the Buddhist.
- The word Nirvāna literally means, ‘blowing out’ or ‘becoming cool’. It is the blowing out of the fire of lust (rāga), of resentment (dosa), of glamour (moha). It is thus becoming cool, reaching perfect calm, to be reached within the four corners of the present life. An Arhat, after the dissolution of his body and mind, reaches the state of Pari-Nirvāna. Thus, “blowing-out” and “cooling” is not complete annihilation but the extinction or dying out of hot passion.
Answer: (a) The extinction of the flame of desire; Difficulty Level: Easy
