What is the oldest and truest meaning of Nirvana?

Question

No, not the band, but the definition.

Answer 1

Buddhism. The ineffable ultimate in which one has attained disinterested wisdom and compassion.
Hinduism. Emancipation from ignorance and the extinction of all attachment.
An ideal condition of rest, harmony, stability, or joy.

In Indian religious thought, the transcendent state of freedom achieved by the extinction of desire and of individual consciousness. Nirvana is the supreme goal of the disciplines of meditation, particularly in Buddhism. Release from desire (and consequent suffering) and the continuous round of rebirths constitutes enlightenment, or the experience of nirvana. Theravada Buddhism conceives of nirvana as tranquillity and peace; Mahayana Buddhism equates it with sunyata (emptiness), dharma-kaya (the essence of the Buddha), and dharma-datu (ultimate reality).

in Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism, a state of supreme liberation and bliss, contrasted to samsara or bondage in the repeating cycle of death and rebirth. The word in Sanskrit refers to the going out of a flame once its fuel has been consumed; it thus suggests both the end of suffering and the cessation of desires that perpetuate bondage. Epithets of nirvana in Buddhism include “the free,” “the immortal,” and “the unconditioned.” Nirvana is attainable in life, and the death of one who has attained it is termed parinirvana, or complete nirvana. This has often been interpreted as annihilation, but in fact the Buddhist scriptures say that the state of the enlightened man beyond death cannot be described. Nirvana in the different Indian traditions is achieved by moral discipline and the practice of yoga leading to the extinction of all attachment and ignorance. See also karma.

In Buddhism, the highest state of consciousness, in which the soul is freed from all desires and attachments. Nirvana is sometimes inaccurately used as a synonym for heaven or paradise.

(Hinduism and Buddhism) the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation; characterized by the extinction of desire and individual consciousness

Answer 2

Nirvana, means literally "extinction" and/or "extinguishing" (ie, of the passions) is a mode of being that is free from mind-contaminants (Kilesa) such as lust, anger or craving. It is thus a state of great inner peace and contentment - the end of suffering, or Dukkha. The Buddha in the Dhammapada says of Nirvana that it is 'the highest happiness'. This is not the transitory, sense-based happiness of everyday life, but rather an enduring, transcendental happiness integral to the calmness attained through enlightenment.

The Buddha describes the abiding in nirvana as 'deathlessness' (Pali: amata or amaravati) or 'the unconditioned' and as the highest spiritual attainment, the natural result that accrues to one who lives a life of virtuous conduct in accordance with Dharma. Such a life (called Brahmacarya in India) dissolves the causes for future becoming (Skt, Karma; Pali, Kamma) that otherwise keep beings forever wandering through realms of desire and form (samsara).

There are many synonyms for Nirvana, as shown by the following passage:

World Honored One, the ground of fruition is bodhi, nirvana, true suchness, the Buddha-nature, the amala-consciousness, the empty treasury of the Thus Come One, the great, perfect mirror-wisdom. But although it is called by these seven names, it is pure and perfect, its substance is durable, like royal vajra, everlasting and indestructible. (Surangama Sutra IV 207)

Answer 3

Nirvana is the core philosophy od Budhist religion. It essentially means to be devoid of all the worldly things.
A man is said to hav attained nirvana if he is devoid of all human desires, such as greed, lust, etc.
According to Budhism, Nirvana is said to be the only path to attain enlightenment, which means to be one with God.
In modern times nirvana means to be naked.. :)

Answer 4

Nirvana is salvation


“extinction” – the soteriological goal of Buddhism; the final cessation of rebirth into suffering existence.

Answer 5

this is bloated and one-sided, yet it somewhat is the gist of it. i'm assuming you cribbed that from somebody's verbose description of nirvana, so i'm at a loss for words approximately why you will ask. proselytizing buddhist?

Answer 6

Ultimate state of enlightenment...like with Buddhists.

Answer 7

The dictionary said it's a hot place or something.
But when I looked in an another dictionary, it's has something 'bout Muslims.

Answer 8

d ultimate state of existence n d highest plane, to attain elightenment. to escape death n disease,old age and pain..

Answer 9

spiritual and temporal enlightenment

Answer 10

bliss, nothing matters, coz everything is as its supposed to be... perfect