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THE BUDDHIST DOCTRINE OF LIBERATION discursive reasoning. Thus we see the Vijñānavāda conception of Nirvāṇa is absolut istic and idealistic. It agrees with the Mādhyamika position in stating that the ultimate reality is devoid (śúnya) of all phenomenal attributes. THE NATURE OF NIRVĀŅA
The real nature of Nirvāṇa cannot be described. However, it can be realized. A thing can be described; but Nirvāṇa is neither a thing, nor a nothing. Lord Buddha has said :
"There is no measure to him who has gone to rest; he keeps nothing that could be named. When all dharmas are abolished,
all paths of speech are also abolished.”52 The indescribability of Nirvāṇa has been especially stressed by Nāgārjuna in the following words :
"What is neither released, nor is it ever reached, what neither is annihilation nor is it eternality. What never disappears, nor has
it been created. This is Nirvana."53 Although essentially indescribable, attempts have nevertheless been made to describe Nir vāna, in negative as well as positive terms. We have already reviewed some of negative and positive aspects of Nirvāņa. One of the synonyms of Nirvāṇa is bodhi or Enlightenment. He who realizes Nirvāņa or bodhi becomes a Buddha. With the attainment of Buddhahood, one attains moral perfection, supreme knowledge and the peace that passeth understanding. Dr. L.M. Joshi states :
“The realisation of Enlightenment implies a state of purity and peace. Hence Nirvana is called viśüddhi, bodhi and śänti. The Buddha is called a Buddha because he is a Buddha; Enlightened One, Awakened One. The sta te of Nirvāṇa refers to an ultimate and transcendental reality. This reality is an attributeless Absolute. To know this reality as it is, is to realize bodhi or
Enlightenment. This realization is mystical in character."'54 BUDDHIST CONCEPTION OF THE BUDDHA
The Buddhist word for a liberated being is Buddha. Buddhahood
52. Suttanipāta, verse 1076; E. Conze's rendering in Buddhist Thought in India,
p. 79. 53. Madhyamakaśastra, XXV. 3. Stcherbatsky's translation. 54. L.M. Joshi, "Buddhist Meditation and Mysticism' in Buddhism, Punjabi
University, Patiala, 1969, p. 73.
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