Metaphor and Literalism in Buddhism: The ... - misterdanger.net

SELECTED SOURCES FOR THE NIRVANA CONCEPT
(mahAbhEtAni) and secondary matter (upAdAyarEpa) has already been destroyed;
the mind supported by the five faculties is no longer active as there
is no remainder of clinging. The complete cessation of all fetters (saNyojana)
is what is called nirvana without a remainder of clinging. 29
When saying ‘vitality has come to an end’, it means that both the life faculty
and homogeneous character of the group (nikAyasabhAga) have already
been destroyed, since both are the result of action that projects existence
(AkLepakakarman). By saying the life faculty, moreover, one should know
that it also implies homogeneous character.
‘The series of primary elements and secondary matter have already become
extinct’ means that the series of material body has already been destroyed,
while ‘the mind 30 supported by the five faculties is no longer active’ means
that the series of mind and mental states are no longer active.
It does not mention the characteristics of arising and so on. The reason is
the same as before.
According to an opinion, primary elements and secondary matter are body
(kAya), the five faculties are faculty (indriya) and the mental series is intellect
(buddhi). The material body, the mind and mental states or the series of body,
faculty and intellect have already become extinct. The complete cessation of
all fetters (saNyojana) is called nirvana element without a remainder of
clinging.
When a saint (arahant) is about to enter the state of nirvana ( parinirvAOakAle),
wind 31 in his body becomes an unhealthy condition (kalya). From
the unhealthy condition, the internal fire weakens. From the weakening, food
cannot be digested. From the indigestion, desire for food does not arise.
Without desire for food, no more food is taken. Without food, the primary
element is deteriorated (vipatti). From the deterioration, secondary matter
and all faculties are also deteriorated. From the deterioration of faculties,
mind and mental states no longer have their support 32 and thus no longer
continue. Without the continuation of mind and mental states, the life faculty
and so on 33 become destroyed. From the extinction of vitality and so on, he
enters nirvana.
When saying ‘as there is no remainder of clinging’, no [remainder of ]
clinging is of two kinds: no clinging as defilement (kleUopadhi) or no clinging
as birth body ( janmakAyopadhi). Alternatively, [no remainder of clinging is
of two kinds:] no defiled (kliLta) clinging or no undefiled clinging. As there is
no remainder of clinging, the complete cessation of all fetters is called nirvana
without a remainder of clinging.
Question: Why is ‘obtained (prApta), possessed (pratilabdha), touched (spKLMa)
and realised (sAkLAtkKta)’ not mentioned here?
Answer: ‘Obtained and so on’ is used with reference to present acquisition
(prApti). It is not used when present acquisition ceases. Alternatively, ‘obtained
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