Reply To: Can Nibbana be considered one’s self?

#52345
Christian
Participant

@lagrade

I always tell people who go beyond their means of understanding that when it comes to “self” or “no self” and Nibbana they are trying to think of color they don’t know – it’s just impossible to understand that conceptually on the level you would like to understand.

The way it works is that the mind can exist without any attachment or desire, and the existence of that mind makes the “self” vanish. While in the body, the function of the body still stays the same, with new outcomes and experiences that result from Nibbana. Buddha explained it as Nibbana with residue.

“What, bhikkhus, is the Nibbāna-element with residue left? Here a bhikkhu is an arahant, one whose taints are destroyed, the holy life fulfilled, who has done what had to be done, laid down the burden, attained the goal, destroyed the fetters of being, completely released through final knowledge. However, his five sense faculties remain unimpaired, by which he still experiences what is agreeable and disagreeable and feels pleasure and pain. It is the extinction of attachment, hate, and delusion in him that is called the Nibbāna-element with residue left.” – “Nibbānadhātu Sutta

People are scared of the “no self” idea because of misunderstanding and they overthink it because they think about it in terms of an ignorant person. Some people are scared to lose “hate” or their negative emotions. Freedom from self is not practice or philosophy like some people trying to make, but the outcome of Nibbana – you will come to it sooner or later. It’s good to remind yourself of your position and know where you stand with your understanding of Dhamma to not fall into delusion. Some people come to scientists and start to argue about their delusions or ideas without having basic knowledge and understanding of themselves. Curiosity is natural but we must understand that when it’s beyond our understanding we may very quickly become ignorant in our actions without being aware of doing so.

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