Understanding Nirvana Samadhi in Theravada Buddhism: A Journey Beyond Perception and Feeling
Theravada Buddhism, one of the oldest and most orthodox branches of Buddhism, emphasizes a profound journey towards self-realization and enlightenment. Central to this path is the attainment of Nirvana Samadhi, a state of complete cessation of perception and feeling. This article delves into the concept of this Higher Jhana and its profound implications in the Buddhist cosmology, exploring the wisdom found in the teachings of Ajahn Brahmavamso and other influential scholars.
Nirvana Samadhi: The Heart of Theravada Path
Those who claim that Buddhists are 'a bunch of nobodies' are, perhaps, missing the profound depth and extensive teachings that guide Buddhist practitioners. The journey towards nirvana, the ultimate goal in Theravada Buddhism, is rich in wisdom and personal transformation. In this path, the ultimate aim is to transcend the five aggregates and achieve a profound state of existence free from suffering.
The term 'Nirvana' is often translated as the highest fulfillment, cessation and freedom. Nirvana is equated with the elimination of craving, aversion, delusion, thus ending all forms of dissatisfaction and suffering (dukkha). This is why the pursuit of Nirvana Samadhi is described as the 'journey beyond the chains of perception and feeling.' It is a profound realization of liberation, a state of being where the practitioner experiences a heightened awareness of the mind and the cessation of all that binds them to the cycle of rebirth (samsara).
Ajahn Brahmavamso and the Jhanas
Ajahn Brahmavamso, a prominent Theravada monk known for his teachings on the Jhanas, explains in his work that meditation is a non-comparative path. It does not require the practitioner to be better or worse than others, only that they focus on the process of observation and release. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between the realms of perception and feeling, two crucial elements leading to deeper levels of meditative absorption (jhanas).
The journey towards Nirvana Samadhi usually begins with a series of 'jhana' practices, which are the stages of meditative absorption. The initial jhanas involve the concentration of the mind, leading to a deep sense of clarity and calm. Progressing to higher jhanas, the practitioner eventually reaches a state where there is a complete cessation of both perceptual and feeling elements. This is the pinnacle of the meditative journey in Theravada Buddhism, where the individual attains a profound sense of freedom and peace.
From Perception and Feeling to Liberation
The teachings of Ajahn Brahmavamso highlight the importance of achieving a state of inner peace irrespective of external circumstances. He quotes the verse: 'The reason why we are perturbed is because we allow ourselves to be carried away by the circumstances we are in. Those who are able to keep their mind unperturbed irrespective of circumstances have attained Inner Peace.' This statement is emblematic of the Buddhist belief that true peace is found within oneself, a concept deeply embodied in the pursuit of Nirvana Samadhi.
Reaching Nirvana Samadhi is not just a theoretical concept; it is a practical and transformative experience. The cessation of perception and feeling is not merely the absence of sensation but a profound shift in the way the mind perceives existence. It is a realm where the practitioner attains a certain level of equanimity, a state where they are no longer swayed by the dualities of life and death, pleasure and pain.
In the Buddhist cosmology, the achievement of Nirvana Samadhi places the practitioner on one of the 31 planes of existence, specifically in the realm of the formless beings (arupas), which include the states of emptiness (sunyata), infinite space, infinite consciousness, and nothingness. This transcendent state is a plane where the practitioner experiences profound enlightenment and a deeper understanding of the impermanent nature of all phenomena.
Conclusion
The journey towards Nirvana Samadhi is a profound and rewarding path that requires dedication, practice, and a deep commitment to inner transformation. As Ajahn Brahmavamso teaches, the ability to remain unperturbed by the flux of life is a key to achieving inner peace and reaching the highest realms of existence. This journey is not just about changing the outer circumstances; it is about transforming the practitioner's innermost being, leading to a state of pure, liberated existence.