Buddhist Beliefs

The ultimate goal of in Buddhists is Buddhism Nirvana. To reach Nirvana Buddhists meditate and follow the principles of Buddhism, paying particular attention to the Four Noble Truths.

The Buddha experienced enlightenment while he meditated under the Bodhi tree, he saw all of his past lives and the past lives of others. Eventually he gained a perfect knowledge of this world and the world beyond it.

The Buddha never specified what Parinirvana was like, it is believed to be beyond human comprehension, the Buddha was unable to relate in language what is called Nirvana. It is believed that the closest interpretation is that it extinguishes ignorance, hatred and earthly suffering.

Buddhists believe that you reach Nirvana when you can escape Samsara, the cycle of reincarnation. When you reach Nirvana you stop accumulating bad karma because you have transcended it and spend the rest of your life and future lives working off the bad karma you have already accumulated. Once you have escaped the karmic cycle it is believed you achieve final Nirvana, Parinirvana, in the afterlife.

Buddhists believe that meditating and meditation is crucial to well being. They believe that meditating clears the mind and encourages positive thinking. Meditating is also used to concentrate on removing all bad thoughts and negative energy.

Buddhists celebrate Nirvana Day annually.Nirvana Day is the celebration of Buddha’s death when at the age of eighty he reached total Nirvana.

On the festival day of Nirvana, Buddhists think about their lives and how they can work towards achieving the total peace of Nirvana. Buddhists believe that Nirvana is reached when all wants and suffering is gone. Nirvana is believed to be the end of rebirth and is the ultimate aim of Buddhism. It is reached when all want and suffering is gone.

Buddhists celebrate Nirvana by either going to temples or monasteries or by mediating. In monasteries Nirvana Day is treated as a social occasion where food is prepared and some people bring presents such as money, household goods or clothes. Some Buddhists read passages from The Paranibbana Sutta during the festival, which describes the last days of Buddha, while others may reflect on those who have recently died.

Buddhists use the lunar calendar to define when the dates of festivals will take place, often using dates when there is a full moon, although some Buddhists celebrate Nirvana on February 15th.

Nirvana is possible for any person; however, in most Buddhist sects only monks attempt to achieve it.