Nibbana and Samsara

　　涅槃與輪回：

　　A well-known Mahayana Buddhist scholar, Nagarjuna, says that Samsara and Nibbana are one. This interpretation can easily be misunderstood by others. However to state that the concept of Samsara and Nibbana are the same is to say that there is no difference in voidness of component things and the unconditioned state of Nibbana. In accordance with the Pali Tipitaka, Samsara is described as the unbroken continuation of the five aggregates, four elements and twelve bases or sources of mental processes whereas Nibbana is described as the extinction of those relative physical and mental sources.

　　However, it is admitted that those who gain Nibbanic bliss, can experience it during their existence in Samsara. In any case, after their death, the link with those elements will be eliminated, for the simple reason that Nibbana is unconditioned, not relative or interdependent. If there is to be anything at all after Nibbana, it would have to be ”Absolute Truth”.

　　根據巴利文叁藏聖典：「輪回是說明四大、五蘊、十二處，或心識之源的完整不斷的過程，而涅槃只是相對于身心因緣消失而言。」 然而，我們也必須承認，有人能在生死中獲得涅槃的喜悅，但是，當它們一旦死亡後，這一切也跟著消失了。這是一個很簡單的道理，涅槃已無因緣的存在，既不相對，也不相互依賴。如果說，涅槃之後還有什麼？那就是「絕對的真理」。

　　You must learn to be detached from all worldly things. If there is any attachment to anyone or to anything or if there is any aversion to anyone or anything, you will never attain Nibbana, for Nibbana is beyond all opposites of attachment and aversion, likes and dislikes.

　　你必須學習遠離所有的世間法，假如你執著或厭惡于任何人或事，你將永遠無法證悟涅槃，因爲涅槃是超越相對的執著或厭惡、喜歡或討厭。當你獲得那最究竟的境界，你就已充分的了解你現在所貪著的對象，你也將體會到所有衆生的「苦」、「無常」和「無我」。

　　When that ultimate state is attained, you will fully understand this worldly life for which you now crave. This world will cease to be an object of your desire. You will realize the sorrow and impermanence and impersonality of all that lives and that does not live. By depending on teachers or holy books without using your own effort in the right manner, it is difficult to gain realization of Nibbana. Your dreams will vanish. No castles will be built in the air. The tempest will be ended. Life”s struggles will be over. Nature”s process will have ceased. All your worries, miseries, responsibilities, disturbances, burdens, physical and mental ailments and emotions will vanish after attaining this most blissful state of Nibbana.

　　沒有任何一位老師或書本能傳授你這種經驗。你必須以正確的方法精進和努力，沖破重重困難去理解涅槃。你的夢覺醒了，空中樓閣消失了，騷動中止了，對生命的掙紮已成過去，自然的過程停止了，所有的憂傷、責任、困擾、負擔和身心的各種情緒和煩惱都已經消散了，這就是獲得涅槃後的喜悅境界。

　　To say that Nibbana is nothingness simply because one cannot perceive it with the five senses, is as illogical as to say that light does not exist simply because the blind do not see it.

　　要達到涅槃，也不是一件簡單的事，首先必須放棄對五蘊的貪著，貪著于五蘊，將使你蒙蔽，無法認清涅槃的真相。

　　Nibbana is attainable inthis present life. Buddhism does not state that its ultimate goal could be reached only in life beyond. When Nibbana is realized in this life with the body remaining it is called Sopadisesa Nibbana. When an Arahant attains Pari Nibbana, after the dissolution of the body, without any reminder of physical existence, it is called Anupadisesa Nibbana.

　　今生就證悟涅槃。這是所有佛教徒最崇高的理想。在今生以肉身所證悟的涅槃，叫做──有余涅槃(Sopadsesa Nibbàna)，阿拉漢肉身還存在時，所證悟的是殊勝涅槃(Par Nibbàna)，當肉身滅寂後，就進入──無余涅槃(Anupadsesa Nibbàna)。