which is far more diverse and extensive than the higher realms. But
animals, humans, and devas all have one thing in common: the
burden of emotional attachments that cause them to be reborn over
and over again – indefinitely. Consequently, the term Nibbãna does
not apply to them.
The only ones who deserve the designation “Nibbãna” are
those individuals who have completely eradicated the kilesas from
their hearts – extinguishing them forever, even while they are
physically alive. At the moment of passing away, they have no lin-
gering attachments that could bind them to the round of saÿsãra
- not even to the body that’s starting to decompose. Absolutely
no attachment or concern for anything anywhere exist in their
hearts. Thus they bid final farewell to the world with no trep-
idation, having no expectations of experiencing karmic conse-
quences in another realm of existence – a source of endless frus-
tration. The heart that has attained absolute freedom is constant,
unchanging, and wholly contented. It harbors no expectations at
all concerning conventional realities such as the body. Therefore,
not even an atom of the conventional world could enter and affect
the heart’s state of total purity. The word “Nibbãna” refers to the
total purity of one who is never agitated or melancholy – neither
sorrowful in life nor regretful at death – but always imperturbably
unchanging throughout.
Nibbãna is a special term used with reference to a special
type of individual. No one who has yet to purify his heart would
dare assume this title. Nibbãna is not a kind of personal prop-
erty, like an orchard or a farm, which can be taken over by pow-
erful interests even without the owner’s consent. Whoever wants
to take possession of Nibbãna must make the effort to develop
