The Mental States of Nirvana

A Perfect One (Arahant) realizes these three aspects of Nirvana when one attains the path, fruit and Nirvana, abandoning the five lower and the five higher fetters, to attain the Nirvana element with the body remaining (Saupadisesanibbanadhatu). Then, one enters the Fruit Attainment and gains the “Knowledge of Reviewing,” which examines the Path, Fruit and Nirvana that have been attained. This realization of one’s own liberation is gained after the mind is liberated, “Vimuttasmim vimuttamiti ñanam hoti.” Previous Noble Disciples [the Stream-enterer, Once returner and Non-Returner] can also realize these three aspects during “Knowledge of Reviewing” in accordance with their level of attainment.

The characteristics of Nirvana are:

• Permanent (Niccam Nibbanam),
• Happiness (Sukham Nibbanam),
• Not subject to becoming sick (Anabadho Nibbanam),
• Perpetual (Dhuvam Nibbanam) and
• Of great benefit (Paramattham nibbanam).
• Without birth (Ajatam Nibbanam),
• Without aging (Ajaram Nibbanam),
• Without sickness (Abyadhidhammam Nibbanam), and
• Eternal (Amatam Nibbanam). [It is non-compound (Asankhatadhamma).]

These characteristics are opposite to the characteristics of the Five Aggregates, which are:

• Compound Phenomena with life or consciousness (Upadi-nanakasankhara),
• Impermanent (Aniccam),
• Suffering (Dukkham),
• Subject to sickness (Abadho),
• Not permanent (Addhuvato),
• Non-self (Anattato)
• Without essence (Asarakato) and
• With birth (Jatidhammo), aging (Jara-dhammo), illness (Byadhidhammo) and death (Maranadhammo).

Note: The Five Aggregates are (1) feeling, (2) perception, (3) volition, (4) consciousness, and (5) corporeality. The first four are Mind or Consciousness and the fifth is Body.