"The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment. "
- Pema Chondron
Rebirth and Nirvana
In Buddhism, life is "samsara" or a process of perpetual wandering. Upon death, there is a transition or "rebirth" whereby, based on the law of causality or dependent origination, that which arises is because of the circumstances of what transpired earlier.
A primary aim of Buddhism is to break free of the wheel of samsara, and to reach a new level called Nirvana.
The Buddha described Nirvana as the ultimate goal, freedom from clinging he reached that state during his enlightenment.
Nirvana literally means extinguishing or unbinding. The implication is that it is freedom from what ever binds you. Once these are totally overcome, a state of bliss is achieved and there is no longer the need for the cycle of birth and death. All karmic debts are settled.
A primary aim of Buddhism is to break free of the wheel of samsara, and to reach a new level called Nirvana.
The Buddha described Nirvana as the ultimate goal, freedom from clinging he reached that state during his enlightenment.
Nirvana literally means extinguishing or unbinding. The implication is that it is freedom from what ever binds you. Once these are totally overcome, a state of bliss is achieved and there is no longer the need for the cycle of birth and death. All karmic debts are settled.
