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20110811

Attaining Nirvana

Some people are born again;
evil-doers go to hell;
righteous people go to heaven;
those who are free from
all worldly desires
attain Nirvana. — Dhammapada 126

Nirvana is freedom from suffering due to worldly desire.

Worldly desire is also called evil passions, which cause us to calculate how to profit at the expense of other people's right to happiness and self-determination.

In this context, evil refers to the negative selfish affect of passions i.e. egoistic desires.

Passions refers to lust, anger, pride, attachment to worldly things, etc.

In this context then, evil passions arise when all worldly desires distract us from our spiritual path in life.

Our spiritual path in life is to attain Nirvana.

To serve others and be helpful to friends, family and strangers is the means by which all Buddhists attain Nirvana.

Thus through selflessness one is able to attain Nirvana, and be free of desire.

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