Pratiṣṭhita-nirvāna

views updated

Pratiṣṭhita-nirvāna. In Mahāyāna Buddhism, the attainment of final nirvāna, with no remaining connection with the world of appearance. A bodhisattva postpones this attainment to help others (pranidhāna), though in fact, since all is of the same nature, empty of self (śūnyatā), he is in the condition of nirvāna while helping still in the domain of appearance (saṃsāra). Thus although the concept seems the equivalent of the Theravāda nirupadhiśeṣa-nirvāna, the two are radically different.

More From encyclopedia.com