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**AffipgyncDync** · 04-19-2012, 10:51 AM

The metaphor "to burn up" has always been an effective one to me, especially in the context of the meaning of Nirvana/Nibbana. I gravitate toward subtraction as opposed to addition. So rather than attribute some extravagant meaning to certain states, I find it easier to note what has been extinguished, as in the case of extinguishing a fire.

To illustrate what I mean by this, in the Aggi-Vacchagotta Sutta, the Buddha describes Nirvana/Nibbana as the exhaustion of sustenance, like a fire no longer fed by fuel. Enlightenment is the end of suffering, and suffering's fuel is craving. Tanha (literally thirst) is the sustenance for the fire. Nirvana/Nibbana is the blowing out of this fire.

Aggi-Vacchagotta Sutta (MN 72)

"And suppose someone were to ask you, Vaccha, 'This fire burning in front of you, dependent on what is it burning?' Thus asked, how would you reply?"

"...I would reply, 'This fire burning in front of me is burning dependent on grass & timber as its sustenance.'"

"If the fire burning in front of you were to go out, would you know that, 'This fire burning in front of me has gone out'?"

"...yes..."

"And suppose someone were to ask you, 'This fire that has gone out in front of you, in which direction from here has it gone? East? West? North? Or south?' Thus asked, how would you reply?"

"That doesn't apply, Master Gotama. Any fire burning dependent on a sustenance of grass and timber, being unnourished — from having consumed that sustenance and not being offered any other — is classified simply as 'out' (unbound)."

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit....072.than.html In terms of enlightenment, the flame is blown out: the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion are cooled. Through Nirvana/Nibbana (blowing out, cooling), one leaves the fuel of craving behind, and thus extinguishes suffering for good. Likewise, in the context of mindfulness, burning up defilements really strikes a chord with me for this same reason.

As for the Magga-Vibhanga Sutta (SN 45.8), all other translations given above use the word ardent in place of Buddhadasa's "to burn up". I feel that "to burn up" provides a more concrete representation of right mindfulness. This makes Buddhadasa's translation easiest for me to understand and relate to personally.

04-19-2012, 10:51 AM	#2
AffipgyncDync Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 462 Senior Member	The metaphor "to burn up" has always been an effective one to me, especially in the context of the meaning of Nirvana/Nibbana. I gravitate toward subtraction as opposed to addition. So rather than attribute some extravagant meaning to certain states, I find it easier to note what has been extinguished, as in the case of extinguishing a fire. To illustrate what I mean by this, in the Aggi-Vacchagotta Sutta, the Buddha describes Nirvana/Nibbana as the exhaustion of sustenance, like a fire no longer fed by fuel. Enlightenment is the end of suffering, and suffering's fuel is craving. Tanha (literally thirst) is the sustenance for the fire. Nirvana/Nibbana is the blowing out of this fire. Aggi-Vacchagotta Sutta (MN 72) "And suppose someone were to ask you, Vaccha, 'This fire burning in front of you, dependent on what is it burning?' Thus asked, how would you reply?" "...I would reply, 'This fire burning in front of me is burning dependent on grass & timber as its sustenance.'" "If the fire burning in front of you were to go out, would you know that, 'This fire burning in front of me has gone out'?" "...yes..." "And suppose someone were to ask you, 'This fire that has gone out in front of you, in which direction from here has it gone? East? West? North? Or south?' Thus asked, how would you reply?" "That doesn't apply, Master Gotama. Any fire burning dependent on a sustenance of grass and timber, being unnourished — from having consumed that sustenance and not being offered any other — is classified simply as 'out' (unbound)." http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit....072.than.html In terms of enlightenment, the flame is blown out: the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion are cooled. Through Nirvana/Nibbana (blowing out, cooling), one leaves the fuel of craving behind, and thus extinguishes suffering for good. Likewise, in the context of mindfulness, burning up defilements really strikes a chord with me for this same reason. As for the Magga-Vibhanga Sutta (SN 45.8), all other translations given above use the word ardent in place of Buddhadasa's "to burn up". I feel that "to burn up" provides a more concrete representation of right mindfulness. This makes Buddhadasa's translation easiest for me to understand and relate to personally.
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