Author: Mehrullah Azizi
An Analysis of the History and Beliefs of Buddhism (part 17)
Teachings of Buddhism (Continued)
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Nirvana
One of the most important goals and teachings of the Buddha was to instruct his followers on how a human being can completely free themselves from the bondage of karma and no longer be compelled to live again or be reborn.
In Religions of India, “Nirvana” is defined as follows: Nirvana literally means “extinguishing” and technically refers to the extinguishing of the three fires: desire (raga), hatred (dosa), and delusion (moha). The result is liberation from the suffering of the cycle of rebirth (samsara) and the attainment of absolute peace. Therefore, Nirvana is reaching complete tranquility by extinguishing the fire of craving. The path to Nirvana is the full practice of the Noble Eightfold Path. [1]
The Buddha taught that the cessation of suffering is the extinguishing of craving, similar to a lamp that goes out when its fuel is exhausted; its flame fades and dies.
He is reported to have said, “O seekers! The one who has not turned away from desire, hatred, and delusion has not crossed the ocean [of samsara] with all its great and small waves, whirlpools, sharks, and demons. But the one who has turned away from desire, hatred, and delusion is said to have crossed that ocean—with all its waves, whirlpools, sharks, and demons—and, having reached the other shore, stands upon the dry land of Brahman.” [2]
Regarding liberation from karma and attaining Nirvana, Professor Hamid Abdul Qader stated the following: “According to Buddhists, this liberation is achieved when the human soul becomes purified and freed from the burden of sins that cause reincarnation and the transmigration of the soul into another being. Initially, Nirvana meant the transition of the soul to a higher realm after a pure and moral life, such that one would no longer need to be reborn. However, later this concept evolved to mean the attainment of the highest level of spiritual purity through self-discipline and the elimination of all desires and attachments. The difference between these meanings is clear: in the first, Nirvana occurs after death; in the second, it is possible to attain Nirvana during one’s lifetime by achieving high levels of spiritual development.” [3]
Cavendish further explains: “Nirvana is a state in which the cycle of reincarnation—constantly trapping suffering souls—comes to an end. It involves the elimination of desires and the fading of emotional attachments. Although Buddhists do not explicitly state that Nirvana means the end of life, this appears to be a natural conclusion of Buddhist thought, since existence itself is viewed as a form of suffering from which one must be freed.”
From a negative perspective, Nirvana means the absence of desire, feeling, life, and even death. From a positive perspective, it is a state in which the soul is freed from reincarnation—meaning a condition in which a person is no longer compelled to die and be reborn. [4]
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Is Buddhism a Religion or a Philosophy?
The answer to this question depends on how we understand the terms “religion” and “philosophy.” If religion means belief in a supreme power that governs destiny and acceptance of revealed truths, then the Buddha himself would not be considered a founder of a religion. This is because he did not speak about God and, at times, even dismissed those who discussed such matters.
However, after his death, his followers elevated his status to that of a divine figure and accepted his teachings as unquestionable truths. In this way, they transformed his philosophy into a religion, believing that he did not speak about God because he himself was divine.
Therefore, from the perspective of the Buddha himself, Buddhism is a philosophy; but from the perspective of Buddhists, it is a religion. [5]
According to this view, the Buddha was neither a prophet nor a recipient of revelation, but rather a philosopher and thinker who reflected on life, observed human suffering, and drew upon earlier philosophical ideas to reach conclusions similar to those of previous thinkers.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, former Minister of Education of India, stated:
“In my view, it is easier to place the Buddha among philosophers than among prophets. He did not address the question of God but sought to solve the problem of life. He reached his conclusions without relying on belief in God, as his approach was fundamentally philosophical. However, after his death, his followers quickly transformed his teachings into a religion. Seeing that the place of God was empty, they elevated the Buddha himself to that position. Nevertheless, the Buddha is not responsible for what his followers later did.” [6]
Some Western thinkers also consider Buddhism a religion because it provides a path for liberation from suffering, has a spiritual dimension, and inspires a level of devotion among its followers typically associated with religions.
Thus, in the contemporary world, Buddhism is recognized as one of the living religions of the world, originating from Asia and India, and its philosophical aspect has become less emphasized due to its global recognition as a religion. [7]
To be continued…
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Sources:
- Fayyaz Qarapi, Religions of India, pp. 319–320.
- Iti Vuttaka (Thus It Is Said), translated by A. Pashayi, p. 87.
- Hamid Abdul Qadir, The Buddhist Religion: Its Philosophy and Ethical Principles, p. 11.
- , p. 11.
- Positive (Man-Made) Religions, p. 219.
- , p. 220.
- Ahmad Al-Shalabi, The Major Religions of India, p. 166.
