Nirvana

A term used in the context of Indian religion to denote a state of deep inner freedom and peace. Reaching this state is the supreme goal of Hinduism and, especially, Buddhism. Reaching nirvana means liberation from samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. In Buddhism, nirvana represents freedom from attachments and individual consciousness and the attainment of tranquility and purity. The Buddha attained provisional nirvana (nirvana in life) after his enlightenment but he lived on to serve and preach until his death, when he gained his final and complete nirvana (parinirvana). Nirvana is conceived somewhat differently within the various schools of Buddhism. Nirvana likewise means the extinguishment of all worldly desires and attachments in Hinduism, and it furthermore means that union with God or the Absolute is possible. The attainment of nirvana is moksha. The term has often been inaccurately described in the West as 'extinction' or 'annihilation.'