Buddhism Quote by Jay Michaelson
““For the Buddha of the Pali Canon, the goal is liberation: the cessation of suffering, the end of the endless hamster-wheel of dependent origination, of mental formations leading to desire leading to clinging leading to suffering and so on. Nibbana, or nirvana, was not originally conceived as some magical heavenly world, or even a permanent altered state of consciousness. It is usually described, in the early texts, negatively: as a candle being snuffed out.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Buddha of the Pali Canon, scholarly analysis
The ultimate aim is to end suffering by extinguishing desire and attachment, achieving Nibbana, a state beyond ordinary consciousness.
In simple terms: End suffering by ending desire and attachment.
Key Takeaway
Seek liberation, not escapism.
Themes
spirituality
freedom
mindfulness
Mood
calm
reflective
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- Meditation practice
- ethical living
- psychological therapy
- stress reduction
Key Concepts
Nibbana
dependent origination
non-self
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one experience freedom without a concrete image?
- What practices help quiet the mind?
A Different Perspective
Nibbana is described negatively, which may be hard to grasp without positive framing.
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