Nirvana
Nirva?a (Devanagari ???????, Pali: Nibbana -- Chinese: ??; Pinyin: niè pán), literally "extinction" and/or "extinguishing" (of passion or lust, hatred and delusion). It denotes being free from mind-contaminants such as lust, anger or craving and is thus a state of great inner peace and contentment -- it is the end of suffering, or Dukkha. The Buddha in the Dhammapada says of Nirvana that it is "the highest happiness". It is necessary to note that "the highest happiness" spoken of by Buddha is not the transitory, sense-based happiness of everyday life, but rather an enduring, transcendental happiness integral to the calmness attained through enlightenment.
The Buddha describes the abiding in nirvana as a state of 'deathlessness' (Pali: amata or amaravati) and the "unconditioned" and as the highest spiritual attainment, the natural result that accrues to one who lives a life of virtuous conduct in accordance with Dharma.
There are many synonyms for Nirvana, as shown by the following passage:
World Honored One, the ground of fruition is bodhi, nirvana, true suchness, the Buddha-nature, the amala-consciousness, the empty treasury of the Thus Come One, the great, perfect mirror-wisdom. But although it is called by these seven names, it is pure and perfect, its substance is durable, like royal vajra, everlasting and indestructible. (Surangama Sutra IV 207)
Introduction
Nirva?a (Pali nibbana) in sutra is "bhavanirodha nibbanam" (The cessation of becoming means Nirvana). Nirvana in sutra is never conceived of as a place, but the antinomy of samsara (see below) which itself is synonymous with ignorance (avidya, Pali avijja). "This said:
?the liberated mind/will (citta) which does not cling' means Nibbana" (Majjhima Nikaya 2-Att. 4.68 ...