Nibbàna in Theravàda Buddhism

Abstract

The thematic paper entitled “Nibbàna (the Unconditioned) in Theravàda Buddhism” consists of 2 objectives as 1) to study the concept of Nibbàna (the Unconditioned) in Theravàda Buddhism and 2) to interpret the concept of Nibbàna  in Theravàda Buddhism. From the study, it can be found that:

Names and synonyms of Nibbàna have appeared in the Tipiṭaka, especially in Anàsàvadi-sutta and also in Abhithànappadipīkà, offering a number of 46 words. There are a lot of Nibbàna words in Commentaries and Sub-commentaries. Nirodha, Nibbàna and Asaṅgata are frequently used in the Tipiṭaka. Nibbàna is, by conditions, divided into two categories: Saupàdisesa-nibbàna (Nibbàna with the substratum of life remaining) and Anupàdisesa-nibbàna (Nibbàna without any substratum of life remaining). Last, the interpretation of Nibbàna in Theravàda Buddhism can be classified into 4 aspectes: 1) By letters, 2) By Saupàdisesa-nibbàna, 3) Anupàdisesa-nibbàna and 4) By metaphors, all of which indicate a state of Nibbàna in various aspects interestingly. As a matter of fact, Nibbàna which is transcendental can not be explained by mundane languages.  However, the Buddha has tried to explain for the sake of human beings to reach the Nibbàna deliberately.