Nirvana as Brightest and Purest

In the Kevatta Sutta, Lord Buddha states that there is no darkness in Nirvana, only pure, bright radiance. Those who have attained path, fruit and Nirvana are able to know it and see it, but not with the physical eyes:

Nirvana can be realized but it is Anidassa [not seen with the physical eyes], Ananta [eternal without arising or passing away] and has bright or clearer, purer radiance than all other dhammas.

(D. 11/350/283).

Lord Buddha also states this in the Khuddakanikaya Apadana:

There is no water, Earth, Fire or Wind in Nirvana. Venus’ rays do not reach Nirvana. Sunshine does not reach it. The moon’s rays do not reach it. [But,] there is no darkness in Nirvana.

(Kh. 25/50/85 and  Kh. 33/126/202).

Venerable Buddhaghosa explains Lord Buddha’s words in the Papañcasudani to mean that there are no other Dhammas brighter, clearer or purer than Nirvana:

Tattha viññananti vijanitabbam. Anidassananti cakkhuviññanassa apatham anupagamanato anidassanam nama. Padadvayenapi nibbanameva vuttam. Anantanti tayidam uppadavayaantarahitatta anantam nama. Vuttampi hetam:

Antavantani bhutani
Asambhutam anantakam.
Bhute antani dissanti
Bhute anta pakasitati.

Sabbatopabhanti sabbaso pabhasampannam. Nibbanato hi añño dhammo sapabhataro va jotivantataro va parisuddhataro va pandarataro va natthi.

In this verse, the word Viññanam means nature that one can come to realize. The word Anidassanam means that it cannot be seen with the eyes. It cannot enter the realm of eye consciousness. Lord Buddha refers only to Nirvana in these two verses. The word Anantam means this Nirvana is without end because it is without arising and passing away [as it is an eternal dhamma which is perpetual without death, rebirth, or aging].

As Lord Buddha stated:

There is an end to all beings, [but] Nirvana is a natural phenomena with no arising and no end. There is an end to beings and I have stated that end.

The word Sabbatopabham means total bright light in all respects. There is no other Dhamma that has a brighter light, more radiance, purer, whiter or clearer than Nirvana.

(MA. 2/320-321).