<p>The real problem is that both concepts are poorly defined in the Pali Canon. If you are a Westerner, then you want a more psychologically sophisticated answer. After 50 years of mindfulness practice, I only offer the following answer: Enlightenment or nibbana can be viewed as that fullest possible attunement with the Bodhicitta, which is an innate and ancient intelligence that has developed within you and is the product of a long evolution of intelligent consciousness that is deeply loving. Complicated? Absolutely. But an intellectual definition won't help much anyway. However, the mindfulness of breathing allows your Bodhicitta to function (if only unconsciously at first). More advanced forms of mindfulness meditation are somewhat like "focusing" as defined Eugene Gendlin.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-11T21:38:59.073Z
2016-08-11T21:38:59.073Z
Ronald Cowen
<p>Enlightenment is a translation of the Pali word Nibbana. They are supposed to mean the same thing.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-11T02:49:13.320Z
From my understanding, they are different. eg The history Buddha comes to Englighted on 8 Dec, while goes to Nibbana on 15 Feb, which are different dates :)
SIDU
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-11T03:07:53.097Z
The Pali word for enlightenment is 'bodhi' and not 'nibbana'. 'Nibbana' means 'cool' or 'flame blown out'. The 8 Dec is Mahayana. In Theravada, the Buddha attained enlightenment & nibbana on the same day (Vesak).
Dhamma Dhatu
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2016-08-11T06:37:13.397Z
Ok but can't enlightenment also mean Nibbana?
Lowbrow
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2016-08-11T18:11:02.597Z
Nibbana & enlightenment certainly go together because when there is enlightenment there will be Nirvana. Your sentiment is certainly correct but the meaning of the words is just an issue of semantics or language.
Dhamma Dhatu
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-11T02:24:17.383Z
2016-08-11T03:13:00.940Z
2016-08-11T03:13:00.940Z
Lowbrow
<p>Enlightenment is the insight knowledge that cuts through &amp; extinguishes the mind's defilements (cravings) of greed, hatred or delusion.</p>

<p>Nibbana is final peace or coolness that is experienced after the 'fires' of greed, hatred &amp; delusion have been extinguished. </p>

<p>Enlightenment is the cause which allows (the pre-existing but hidden) Nibbana to be experienced. </p>

<p>This process is described in the <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn22/sn22.059.than.html">Anatta-Lakkhana Sutta</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>Seeing (impermanence, unsatisfactoriness &amp; not-self) thus</strong> , the well-instructed disciple of the noble ones grows disenchanted with form, disenchanted with feeling, disenchanted with
  perception, disenchanted with fabrications, disenchanted with
  consciousness. Disenchanted, he <strong>becomes dispassionate</strong>. Through
  dispassion, he is <strong>fully released</strong>. With full release, there is the knowledge, 'Fully released.' </p>
</blockquote>

<p>The 'seeing thus' is enlightenment. 'Becoming dispassionate' (end of craving) is Nibbana. 'Fully released' is liberation (which is also Nibbana). The knowedge 'fully released' is enlightenment, in clearly knowing the end of craving is Nibbana. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-10T21:30:01.367Z
2016-08-10T23:22:51.560Z
2016-08-10T23:22:51.560Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<p>Is there a difference between Enlightenment and Nibbana?</p>

<vipassana><terminology>
What is the difference between Enlightenment and Nibbana?
# What is the difference between Enlightenment and Nibbana?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-08-10)

Is there a difference between Enlightenment and Nibbana?

**Tags:** vipassana, terminology


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-08-10. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

Enlightenment is the insight knowledge that cuts through & extinguishes the mind's defilements (cravings) of greed, hatred or delusion.

Nibbana is final peace or coolness that is experienced after the 'fires' of greed, hatred & delusion have been extinguished.

Enlightenment is the cause which allows (the pre-existing but hidden) Nibbana to be experienced.

This process is described in the [Anatta-Lakkhana Sutta](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn22/sn22.059.than.html)

> **Seeing (impermanence, unsatisfactoriness & not-self) thus** , the well-instructed disciple of the noble ones grows disenchanted with form, disenchanted with feeling, disenchanted with
> perception, disenchanted with fabrications, disenchanted with
> consciousness. Disenchanted, he **becomes dispassionate**. Through
> dispassion, he is **fully released**. With full release, there is the knowledge, 'Fully released.'

The 'seeing thus' is enlightenment. 'Becoming dispassionate' (end of craving) is Nibbana. 'Fully released' is liberation (which is also Nibbana). The knowedge 'fully released' is enlightenment, in clearly knowing the end of craving is Nibbana.


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### Answer by username_1 on 2016-08-11. Score: 2

The real problem is that both concepts are poorly defined in the Pali Canon. If you are a Westerner, then you want a more psychologically sophisticated answer. After 50 years of mindfulness practice, I only offer the following answer: Enlightenment or nibbana can be viewed as that fullest possible attunement with the Bodhicitta, which is an innate and ancient intelligence that has developed within you and is the product of a long evolution of intelligent consciousness that is deeply loving. Complicated? Absolutely. But an intellectual definition won't help much anyway. However, the mindfulness of breathing allows your Bodhicitta to function (if only unconsciously at first). More advanced forms of mindfulness meditation are somewhat like "focusing" as defined Eugene Gendlin.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2016-08-11. Score: 0

Enlightenment is a translation of the Pali word Nibbana. They are supposed to mean the same thing.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: From my understanding, they are different. eg The history Buddha comes to Englighted on 8 Dec, while goes to Nibbana on 15 Feb, which are different dates :)  
> **username_4**: The Pali word for enlightenment is 'bodhi' and not 'nibbana'. 'Nibbana' means 'cool' or 'flame blown out'. The 8 Dec is Mahayana. In Theravada, the Buddha attained enlightenment & nibbana on the same day (Vesak).  
> **username_2**: Ok but can't enlightenment also mean Nibbana?  
> **username_4**: Nibbana & enlightenment certainly go together because when there is enlightenment there will be Nirvana. Your sentiment is certainly correct but the meaning of the words is just an issue of semantics or language.  

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