Those are Sammā-Sambodhi(Lord Buddha), Pacceka-Bodhi and Savaka-Bhodhi(Arahath). You could say that reaching Nirvana opens the door to a holistic peace, far from any kind of external circumstances. Those who obtained the enlightenment by following teachings of the Samma-Sambuddha are obtained enlightenment through Savaka-Bhodhi. Reaching Nirvana through the Eightfold Path The ultimate goal of a Buddhist is to reach Nirvana, and to come to that truth. The easiest way to get enlightenment (or reach Nirwana) is the Savaka-Bhodhi. In Buddhism, enlightenment can be … Buddhists who achieve nirvana with the help of a buddha guide become arhats, people who are enlightened but not omniscient. So, how do you reach Nirvana or enlightenment? A primary aim of Buddhism is to break free of the wheel of samsara, and to reach a new level called Nirvana. A way to achieve Nirvana is through following eight paradigms called the Eightfold Path, which is based on wisdom, morality, and concentration. While Nirvana is often used in the East, freedom from suffering can also be explained through non-attachment and this form of Buddha nirvana is also referred to as "Enlightenment." Sorry to be ignorant, but I thought Buddhism was pretty cool. - Many Theravada practitioners believe that only monks (ordained men) can attain enlightenment. 2 In order to do so, the Buddha recommends that one should discipline their mind and body. Nirvana in Theravada Buddhism. Likewise, people also use the term in a more general way to talk about overcoming difficult challenges or achieving something complicated. Nirvana in Buddhism is often misunderstood and overcomplicated. I can tell you (speaking as a Mahayana practitioner) that all women are fully capable of attaining enlightenment - I know many such women, strong practitioners all. The final goal of Buddhism is Nirvana, when the “quenching” of all desire is complete, and the person is transformed into another state. Nirvana. Thus, an enlightened person can be both man and woman at the same time and can change from one form to another. Those in the West recognise the term as meaning Heaven, or a Heaven on Earth, or perhaps a famous rock band. This is a form of clinging towards Buddhism as a label based on its leaders. According to Theravada Buddhists, one can achieve the serenity of Nirvana, or liberation from the agonizing effects of desire, by dedication to the abandonment of the distractions of life. Nirvana, a concept common in Buddhism, is the realization that there is no self nor consciousness; while moksha, a concept common in many schools of Hinduism, is acceptance of Self, realization of liberating knowledge, the consciousness of Oneness with all existence and understanding the … . Because I feel like non-human animals arent capable of achieving that level of enlighenment. This is not well-supported in the Pali Canon, but it is a widely held belief. And are there many people who reach nirvana or is it only a small minority? Nirvana is the most misunderstood term in Buddhism. Imagine a candle burning and then being extinguished. Learn about this essential Buddhist teaching, what the Buddha said, and what it means for us to work toward awakening. are just words, conventional language. Can animals reach nirvana or do they have to wait until they are reborn as a human and then they can reach nirvana? Nirvana is the final level of freedom for those who practice Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. There are three ways (Bodhis) which you can reach Nirwana. What is important is the teaching and practice of the teaching. Lay Buddhists -- Buddhists outside the monastic community -- strive instead for a higher existence in their next life. While nirvana is possible for any person, in most Buddhist sects only monks attempt to achieve it. Nirvana can refer to the act of quenching—either gradually being extinguished or rapidly (like blowing out a candle). Any kind of situation or … Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam etc. Buddhism is not about people, its about the dharma - … Can a non-Buddhist get Nirvana?