[Nppracph]

Wow I am so impressed with the amount and quality of the replies received so far, I want to thank each of you for your help with my understanding of this.

For my second question I was expecting different answers than the ones I received, I am actually a bit confused now because it was my understanding that life was like a cycle with births and rebirths until one reaches enlightenment and the cycle is broken; Nirvana was a recurring theme in the textbook that I read. I understood the process as you live and die and repeat the cycle until you attain enlightenment and proceed to live in Nirvana thus breaking the cycle of lives. Is this completely wrong or not? I just assumed that meant reincarnation, in addition to karma led up to your eventual enlightenment.

Thanks again everyone! You have been extremely helpful so far!