A Comparative Study of Samsāra and Nibbāna as Reflected in Early Buddhism and Madhyamaka Philosophy.

Abstract

As Early Buddhism notes, the word nibbāna denotes the ultimate reality of the individual. In accordance with early Buddhist explanation, nibbāna explains as the end of samsāra. On that regard, it is explained as two separated aspects. As mentioned in Dhammapada (“dīgobālānaṃsaṃsāro”), it’s explained that damn people are far from nibbāna and their transmigration is lengthened.Ven. Nagarjuna the founder of MadhyamakaTradition explained his opinion on samsāra and nirvāṇa as one aspect. That is mentioned in Mūlamadhayamakakārikā and that is the foundation of MadhayamakaTradition.“nirvāṇasyacayākoti – kotisaṃsataṇasyacanatayorantaramkiñci – susukśmamitividyate”According to the stanza, there is nothing in saṃsārawhich can be distinguished from nirvāna. He further explained that; the end of saṃsāraas the end of nirvāṇa.He tried to explain though his new tradition the central philosophy of Buddhism. Here I am going to discuss facts regarding the above two traditions and the controversial explanations of them on samsāra and nirvāṇa. This study is a library based research and used the primary and secondary sources to complete this writing. Especially facts in Mūlamadhyamakakarika and Theravada Canon are discussed and the similar facts regarding the same two aspects.