The Path To Nirvana In Buddhism

The Path to Nirvana
Buddhism is a religion with a fundamental belief in reincarnation. After death, a being’s essence remains to occupy another body in one of six realms of existence. This cycle of rebirth is called Samsara. The realm of a soul’s rebirth is based on good or bad consequences of the intentional actions, or karma, of its past lives. Buddhism teaches that all life is suffering. Liberation from this life cycle, through rebirth in the realm of man and attainment of nirvana, is a Buddhist’s ultimate goal.
Siddhārtha Gautama became the first Buddha after reaching nirvana while meditating under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya. The goddess Mara appeared to tempt Siddhārtha Gautama with craving and discontent. Mother earth bore witness

to Siddhārtha Gautama’s self-control, causing Mara to leave. This is when the Four Watches began. During the First Watch, Siddhārtha Gautama experienced a deep meditation where he was freed from conditional reasoning. In the next Watch he sees himself in his past lives. Siddhārtha Gautama was then able to think freely and clearly without decision making based on assumed information and he gained an understanding of his past decisions and the consequences for all of his past actions. The Third Watch brought him an understanding of dependent organization, or the cause and effect constantly occurring around him. During the Fourth Watch Siddhārtha Gautama became the Buddha when he received infinite understanding, allowing him to deny feelings of greed, hatred, and anger.
The Buddha then spread the knowledge of his Awakening. He understood that every person’s awakening was unique and that he could not possibly teach everything that they would need to know. Instead, he gave his followers Four Noble Truths to guide them on their journey. The First Truth that all life is suffering. The Second is that this suffering is caused by desire. The Third Truth is that this suffering can be overcome through the rejection of material things. Finally, the Buddha taught that following of the Noble Eightfold Path would allow one to overcome this ignorance and attachment.
The Buddha’s teaching that all life is suffering comes from the belief that nothing is permanent.

Without entering a state of nirvana, no happiness achieved can last because everything is in a constant state of change. Reincarnation means death is not the end of suffering, but instead, birth marks its beginning. The only way to end suffering is to be liberated from the cycle of rebirth. In order to reach nirvana the Buddha taught that one must understand that suffering, known as duhka, is caused by desire. In order to be freed of suffering one must first let go of Taṇhā, desires for pleasure and relief from pain. In order to let go of desire, and reach a state of nirvana, one must follow the three divisions of the Eightfold Path. These divisions are wisdom, ethical conduct, and concentration.
The first division, wisdom, contains the paths of right view and right intention. Wisdom does not involve having knowledge of something for a short period of time or memorizing information, but instead being in a constant state of awareness. Practicing mindfulness through learning skills or preforming activities with more thought can bring an individual closer to enlightenment. Right View allows one to see reality for what it is. This new view of the true nature of our surroundings allows an individual to choose new, realistic goals. Possessing Right View means understanding the Three Marks of

Existence.
Three Marks of Existence are of great importance in Buddhism. It allows an individual awareness of the impermanence of everything around them. Knowledge of impermanence provides the wisdom to not become attached to material items. It allows a separation from taṇhā. Just as happiness is not permanent, neither is anything else. Everything from the bugs on the ground to the stars in the sky will come to an end eventually.
Right Knowledge allows for not self. It is important to remember that nothing exists on its own, as it is. Everything is forever changing. If a person tries to hold on themselves in the exact image they imagine they will only be filled with desire of what they no longer are. If you allow changes and adapt to it you will become one with the world around you.
Right View allows a better understanding of suffering. Examining the causes of suffering allows one to avoid it in the future. Being mindful of your suffering and others instead of cowering from it creates opportunity for change instead of facing the same difficulties in the future. Spending time analyzing suffering can help strengthen someone so that future occurrences can be recognized more easily and handled more maturely.
Ethical Conduct allows us to make choices which do not hurt ourselves or those around us. Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood are all part of Ethical Conduct. Right Speech is avoiding hurting others or deceiving them through words. Being aware of what you are saying to others is important in being mindful. The intentions behind your words can affect your karma. Right livelihood is how one preform their work. If the intentions behind someone’s career are negative their karma will be hurt. An individual must be mindful of how their work affects others. Right Action is the last path in the division of Ethical Conduct. Right Action is how pure our intentions are behind our actions. Pure intention and mindful actions will result in better performance.
Concentration is the third and last division of the Eight Fold Paths.

Meditation and concentration, encourage higher thinking and awareness. It allows them to perceive reality as it is without being clouded by their emotions. Right effort occurs when a person works to the best of their abilities with the right intention in mind. Right Mindfulness is about being aware. Being aware means we are not allowing ourselves to daydream instead of living in the now. Having Right Mindfulness means being able to evaluate the important of tasks and being efficient in completing them. Lastly, Right Concentration is being able to clear one’s mind and focus on only one task or object. If you hold much suffering inside you Right Concentration will be difficult to

obtain.
It is clear to see the connection between the Noble Eightfold Paths and the Four Noble Truths. The Buddha may not have been specific in his teachings, but they cover all areas of life both physical and mental. The key to reaching nirvana is mindfulness. You must be aware of your intentions and your desires. Suffering is everlasting and unavoidable without reaching enlightenment.