[IronpumpedLady]

Hey everyone. I have a few questions and instead of starting a lot of different threads I figured it would be easier to just make one. Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

1. What is Nirvana? What is it like? If someone achieves Nirvana do they cease to exist and simply disappear or is there more to it than that?

2. Where should I start reading? Would it be best to start with the Tipitaka or should I start with books on Buddhism before I start reading the Sutras?

3. Where do all the different Buddhas come from? I know the Buddha is siddarth who founded the Buddhist philosophy, but where do the other ones come from like the fat man you always see in Chinese restaurants that is referenced to as Buddha.

4. Oh and how do different various branches of Buddhist scriptures. I know Theravada use only the Tripitaka, but does the Mahayana branch follow that set of scriptures as well?

[Rffkwfct]

hi White Wolf

Nirvana is viewed differently by different Buddhists. But, according to the original scriptures, the earliest report of the life and words of the Buddha, Nirvana is described as the here & now end of greed, hatred & delusion, such as follows:

What, bhikkhus, is the Nibbana-element with residue left? Here a bhikkhu is an arahant, one whose taints are destroyed, the holy life fulfilled, who has done what had to be done, laid down the burden, attained the goal, destroyed the fetters of being, completely released through final knowledge. However, his five sense faculties remain unimpaired, by which he still experiences what is agreeable and disagreeable and feels pleasure and pain. It is the extinction of attachment, hate and delusion in him that is called the Nibbana-element with residue left.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit...l.html#iti-044 Nirvana/Nibbana is the most sublime & highest state of peace. The Buddha said Nirvana/Nibbana is the supreme happiness. It is the state without suffering.

203. Hunger is the worst disease, mental conditioning the worst suffering. Knowing this as it really is, the wise realize Nibbana, the highest bliss.

204. Health is the most precious gain and contentment the greatest wealth. A trustworthy person is the best kinsman, Nibbana the highest bliss.

205. Having savored the taste of solitude and peace (of Nibbana), pain-free and stainless he becomes, drinking deep the taste of the bliss of the Truth.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipit...p.15.budd.html Nirvana is also described as the end of craving, as follows:

Cessation of suffering, as a noble truth, is this: It is remainderless fading and ceasing, giving up, relinquishing, letting go and rejecting, of that same craving.

First Sermon "Here, ruler of gods, a bhikkhu has heard that nothing is worth clinging to. When a bhikkhu has heard that nothing is worth clinging to, he directly knows everything; having directly known everything, he fully understands everything; having directly known everything, he fully understood everything, whatever feeling he feels, whether pleasant or painful or neither pleasant or painful, he abides contemplating (observing) impermanence in those feelings, contemplating (observing) fading away, contemplating (observing) cessation, contemplating (observing) relinquishment (letting go). Contemplating (observing) thus, he does not cling to anything in the world. When he does not cling, he is not agitated, he personally attains Nibbana.

Briefly, it is in this way, ruler of gods, that a bhikkhu is liberated in the destruction of craving, one who has reached the ultimate end, the ultimate security from bondage, the ultimate holy life, the ultimate goal, one who is foremost among gods and humans.

MN 37 Some teachings about Nibbana by modern teachers are below:

Nibbana for Everyone: Buddhadasa

Or, this video below:

[gniewkoit]

2. Where should I start reading? Would it be best to start with the Tipitaka or should I start with books on Buddhism before I start reading the Sutras?

Generally, most students start with books. Without some basic understanding, the scriptures (Tipitaka) can be too complex.

3. Where do all the different Buddhas come from? I know the Buddha is siddarth who founded the Buddhist philosophy, but where do the other ones come from like the fat man you always see in Chinese restaurants that is referenced to as Buddha.

Just like in Christianity or in Islam, in Buddhism human beings have the tendency to change the teachings or religious emphasis to suit their personal needs or disposition. This especially has happened in Mahayana Buddhism (but it also has happened in Theravada Buddhism) when the original Buddhism was losing its popularity in India. So the fat Buddha, I think, is a Chinese Buddha, to symbolise good fortune. (see link)

Kind regards

Element