Quote:
Originally Posted by cardboard adolescent
nirvana is more than happiness or contentment though, it is pure bliss, ecstasy, it is infinite love overflowing itself. happiness and contentment are objects of desire which keep us trapped in suffering, offering only temporarily breaks from the hell our ego puts us through. that's why nirvana only means anything after we have come to terms with the futility of our existence, which consists fundamentally of chasing after things that we can't have or that don't exist (like nirvana).
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i disagree...nirvana could still be considered an object of desire. who would not WANT pure bliss, ecstasy, and infinite love? people strive to attain nirvana just as anyone strives for happiness and contentment. the reason i say nirvana and contentment are synonymous is because as i said, happiness implies its opposite...sadness. they are polar extremes and impossible to maintain either for an indefinite period of time. contentment shows one's understanding that no matter what happens, good or bad, it is simply the way of things and nothing would be able to impact our appreciation of the world. i guess it really depends on our individual definitions of contentment, but i believe it to imply a wisdom and understanding that can provide total bliss.