8 - Moksa and Nibbana

Summary

Key terms and teachings

Asavas/Asravas: Pali and Sanskrit terms usually translated as “outflows,” that refer to the defilements or impurities that cause repeated rebirths. In the Pali texts there are three or four impurities: sense desires, the desire for continuing existence, wrong views, and ignorance.

Samyojana: Pali and Sanskrit term meaning “binding” or “fetter.” The Buddhist tradition recognizes ten fetters that bind one to samsara: belief that there is an enduring individual self, unjustified doubt with respect to the Buddha and his teachings, excessive concern with rituals and monastic and ethical rules, sensuous desire, lust or craving, hatred, ill will or aversion, craving for the Form realm, craving for the Formless realm, excessive self-love, being restless or agitated, and ignorance. The first five are known as the “lower fetters” (that bind one to the Desire Realm) and the last five are known as the “higher fetters” (that bind one to the Form and Formless Realms).

Upaya: Sanskrit term for “skillful means” or “skill-in-means.” Although generally associated with the Mahayana tradition and the perfections of a Bodhisattva, it also refers to the Buddha's ability to suit his teachings to the capacity of his disciples and his audiences in order to bring them to enlightenment.