Nirvana Vs. Heaven
From the research I did, I have come to the conclusion that Nirvana and Heaven are two different places/states of being/concepts; but are also the same in a sense.
First off, trying to define nirvana was not as easy or straight forward as I thought it would be; many of the formal and accepted resources seem to refer to it as a Buddhist concept, and it was difficult to find a Hindu centric definition without the crossover to Buddhism. However, nirvana, as defined by Merriam-Webster (2018) “…is the final beatitude that transcends suffering, karma, and samsara and is sought especially in Buddhism through the extinction of desire and individual consciousness; or a place or state of oblivion to care, pain, or external reality.” Our text provides …show more content…
a slightly different definition from a Jainism perspective: “Nirvana is the self-realization, happiness, and freedom from the soul” (Van Voorst, 2017, p.97). I believe these definitions are ambiguous because they do not really define or explain what nirvana is, and they seems to conflict with other definitions in some degrees.
Nirvana appears (to me) to be a stage in one’s spiritual journey - the ultimate goal, the final destination if you will.
In Western eyes, it may appear to be a place or feeling; in a Hindu’s eyes, nirvana is a state of being one strives to achieve – the final karma. In Hinduism, the concepts of caste, reincarnation, and karma all play a role in achieving “Nirvana” – the liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth and becoming united with Brahman (Orońska, 2009). The belief that all human beings go through continuous birth and rebirth as a different species and person leads to nirvana. Each time the soul goes through this, it provides a chance to do better if you will, to perfect one’s state of honesty, non-violence, selflessness, peace, etc. – to receive better karma based off of one’s past actions. If a person continues to better themselves and receives better karma, they should ultimately reach nirvana and be united with the Supreme (Jayaram, 2107 & Orońska, …show more content…
2009).
When it comes to heaven, explaining it is a bit easier.
The Christian faith believes that heaven is a place, a perfect place, a place where those who have accepted God and lived the life prescribed will unite when the final day, Apocalypse/Rapture/Judgement Day, arrives and spend eternity with God ( Acts 1:11; John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NKJV). Christianity does not subscribe to the concept of reincarnation and “do overs” if you will. Rather, a person gets one chance, the life they live until their death. When a person dies, they are in a state of waiting until God returns to Earth and the human race is judged. At that time, the dead will be resurrected and judged along with the living and either let into heaven, or cast into the lake of fire/ hell (Revelation 20:10
NKJV).
As I sated in my opening, Nirvana and Heaven are different; but the same. They are end goals for the faithful; a journey where one is rewarded or punished for their actions. The concept of Nirvana in Hinduism as more of an achievement and ultimate goal; one where the physical body is left behind and the immortal soul goes to be free of pain, death, and sorrow (Jayaram, 2017). Whereas in the case of heaven, all will be new again; bodies will be free from disease, pain and death in heaven (Isaiah 35:5-6; 1 Corinthians 15:40-49 NKJV). The Bible says: [W]ho shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21 NKJV). Should a person live their lives as prescribed, they are rewarded with a perfect final destination. In Hinduism, a person has to overcome desires and attachments; egoism; ignorance; past karmas; worldliness; delusion; and predominance of one or more gunas (Jayaram, 2017). In the Christian faith, following the 10 Commandments are similar to the Hindu’s things to overcome in order to reach heaven – so there are basic similarities in that living a certain way helps one to achieve the ultimate goal of Nirvana or Heaven.
In conclusion, Nirvana and Heaven are final destinations for the devoted of each faith. Reaching these destinations is not automatic; work and sacrifice has to be done in order to get here. Each unites the follower with their Supreme, but in different states/forms; one in a physical and the other in soul. When the devotee reaches these places, they will be free of pain, sickness, and anger – but rather achieved perfection.
First off, trying to define nirvana was not as easy or straight forward as I thought it would be; many of the formal and accepted resources seem to refer to it as a Buddhist concept, and it was difficult to find a Hindu centric definition without the crossover to Buddhism. However, nirvana, as defined by Merriam-Webster (2018) “…is the final beatitude that transcends suffering, karma, and samsara and is sought especially in Buddhism through the extinction of desire and individual consciousness; or a place or state of oblivion to care, pain, or external reality.” Our text provides …show more content…
a slightly different definition from a Jainism perspective: “Nirvana is the self-realization, happiness, and freedom from the soul” (Van Voorst, 2017, p.97). I believe these definitions are ambiguous because they do not really define or explain what nirvana is, and they seems to conflict with other definitions in some degrees.
Nirvana appears (to me) to be a stage in one’s spiritual journey - the ultimate goal, the final destination if you will.
In Western eyes, it may appear to be a place or feeling; in a Hindu’s eyes, nirvana is a state of being one strives to achieve – the final karma. In Hinduism, the concepts of caste, reincarnation, and karma all play a role in achieving “Nirvana” – the liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth and becoming united with Brahman (Orońska, 2009). The belief that all human beings go through continuous birth and rebirth as a different species and person leads to nirvana. Each time the soul goes through this, it provides a chance to do better if you will, to perfect one’s state of honesty, non-violence, selflessness, peace, etc. – to receive better karma based off of one’s past actions. If a person continues to better themselves and receives better karma, they should ultimately reach nirvana and be united with the Supreme (Jayaram, 2107 & Orońska, …show more content…
2009).
When it comes to heaven, explaining it is a bit easier.
The Christian faith believes that heaven is a place, a perfect place, a place where those who have accepted God and lived the life prescribed will unite when the final day, Apocalypse/Rapture/Judgement Day, arrives and spend eternity with God ( Acts 1:11; John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NKJV). Christianity does not subscribe to the concept of reincarnation and “do overs” if you will. Rather, a person gets one chance, the life they live until their death. When a person dies, they are in a state of waiting until God returns to Earth and the human race is judged. At that time, the dead will be resurrected and judged along with the living and either let into heaven, or cast into the lake of fire/ hell (Revelation 20:10
NKJV).
As I sated in my opening, Nirvana and Heaven are different; but the same. They are end goals for the faithful; a journey where one is rewarded or punished for their actions. The concept of Nirvana in Hinduism as more of an achievement and ultimate goal; one where the physical body is left behind and the immortal soul goes to be free of pain, death, and sorrow (Jayaram, 2017). Whereas in the case of heaven, all will be new again; bodies will be free from disease, pain and death in heaven (Isaiah 35:5-6; 1 Corinthians 15:40-49 NKJV). The Bible says: [W]ho shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21 NKJV). Should a person live their lives as prescribed, they are rewarded with a perfect final destination. In Hinduism, a person has to overcome desires and attachments; egoism; ignorance; past karmas; worldliness; delusion; and predominance of one or more gunas (Jayaram, 2017). In the Christian faith, following the 10 Commandments are similar to the Hindu’s things to overcome in order to reach heaven – so there are basic similarities in that living a certain way helps one to achieve the ultimate goal of Nirvana or Heaven.
In conclusion, Nirvana and Heaven are final destinations for the devoted of each faith. Reaching these destinations is not automatic; work and sacrifice has to be done in order to get here. Each unites the follower with their Supreme, but in different states/forms; one in a physical and the other in soul. When the devotee reaches these places, they will be free of pain, sickness, and anger – but rather achieved perfection.