Q26. What is Nibbāna?

~ By Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu ~

If someone persistently raises this question, answer that Nibbāna is the immortal-element (amata-dhātu). Say it is the element that doesn’t perish. All other elements perish, but this one doesn’t perish or die, because it is free of lust, hatred, and delusion. When empty of these passions, there’s no notion of self-essence, there’s no grasping or clinging to selfhood, and thus there’s no perishing. Because this is the end of what dies, it is called the immortal-element or undying element. This deathless element is the cessation of mortal elements.

(From “Buddha-Dhamma for Inquiring Minds”)

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Buddha-Dhamma for Students (title of original translation) was composed of two talks given by Ajahn Buddhadāsa in January 1966 to students at Thammasat University, Bangkok. It was translated from the Thai by Rod Bucknell, and revised in 2018 by Santikaro Upasaka. To read/download as free ebook (pdf).

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For all English retreat talks, visit Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu.

For more information and free ebooks, visit Suan Mokkh – The Garden of Liberation.

Photo: Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives E-32