#Parinibbana

Parinibbana, known in the Pali canon as Parinirvana—the ‘final nirvana’—is a foundational mystery and ultimate goal within Buddhist philosophy. The topic holds profound significance for Thai Buddhists, as it marks not only the historical moment of the Buddha’s complete emancipation but also serves as the ideal endpoint for all practitioners. Yet, interpretations and explanations about its true nature remain complex, requiring careful analysis grounded in Thai sources and Buddhist scripture. Here, we explore key elements of Parinibbana, its meaning, historical accounts, insights from Thai scholars, controversies, and enduring implications for contemporary Thai society.

Parinibbana, known in Pali as Parinirvana—the final nirvana—stands as a core question in Buddhist thought. For Thai Buddhists, it marks both the Buddha’s complete emancipation and a practical target for daily practice. This article revises broad interpretations into a clear, journalism-style overview grounded in Thai perspectives, while removing external links and unnecessary repetition.

Parinibbana is the moment a fully enlightened being, an arahant, is finally released from suffering and from samsara, the cycle of rebirth. Tradition places the Buddha’s Parinibbana at his passing in Kushinagar, India, in the presence of his disciples. The term nibbana evokes the extinguishing of defilements; the prefix pari- signals intensity, meaning complete or final. In early texts, this is distinguished from a living arahant’s nibbana, which is described as nirvana with residue, versus nirvana with no remaining residue at death. According to research from established Buddhist studies programs, Parinibbana is not a place, but a state achieved when craving, aversion, and delusion are extinguished.