世間の楽しみの先にはニルヴァーナは存在していない
Nirvana does not lie beyond worldly pleasures
2026-04-01
For some people (sentient beings), worldly pleasures are the only tangible and reliable form of enjoyment they can truly feel in reality, and they likely believe that either such pleasures will continue forever, or at least that the very process of pursuing them will make for a happy life.
And, if possible, they may even hope that beyond such pleasures there exists Nirvana, regarded as the ultimate joy of human beings.
However, in reality, Nirvana does not lie beyond worldly pleasures, and it is already known to those who have awakened (= attained liberation) that worldly pleasures are, in fact, nothing other than suffering itself.
In other words, unless one abandons worldly pleasures, one can never reach Nirvana, and it is in itself impossible to escape suffering.
Regarding this, in the early Buddhist scriptures of Shakyamuni Buddha, we can find the following principle:
290 If by abandoning trivial pleasures one can behold a vast delight, then a person of heart, desiring that vast delight, should abandon trivial pleasures. (The Words of Truth — Dhammapada, Chapter 21: Various, translated by Hajime Nakamura, Iwanami-Bunko)
791 Abandoning the former (teacher and the like) and relying on the latter (teacher and the like), people who follow the agitation of defilements never transcend attachment. They grasp and then let go again—just like a monkey that seizes a branch and then releases it. (The Words of the Buddha - Sutta Nipāta, Chapter 4: The Chapter of the Eights, 4: The Eight Verses on Purity, translated by Hajime Nakamura, Iwanami-Bunko)
759 All colours, forms, sounds, tastes, scents, tangible objects, and thoughts that are said to exist—those pleasing, lovable, and agreeable to the mind—
760 these are widely recognized as “pleasant” both by gods and by humans. And when they perish, they are likewise universally recognized by them as “suffering.”
761 The annihilation of one’s own body (= individual) is "ease." This is how the Noble Ones see it. This (view) held by those who (truly) see is the exact opposite of the view held by all worldly people.
762 What others call “ease,” the Noble Ones say is “suffering.” What others call “suffering,” the Noble Ones know to be “ease.” Behold this truth, difficult to grasp. The ignorant are confused precisely here.
763 For those whose minds are covered, there is darkness. For those who do not see (correctly), there is gloom. But to the virtuous, things are revealed—as if light were present to those who can see. (Fools, like) beasts who do not know what the Dharma is, remain unaware even when close (to peace).
764 For those who are attached to the craving for existence, swept along by the current of becoming, and already in the domain of Māra, this truth is truly hard to realize.
765 Who, other than the Noble Ones, could possibly awaken to this state? One who truly comes to understand this state becomes free from the defilements of the passions and enters into serene and perfect peace. (Words of the Buddha – Sutta-nipāta, Chapter 3: The Great Chapter, 12: Two Kinds of Contemplation, translated by Hajime Nakamura, Iwanami-Bunko)
14 Since one can never be satisfied through desires, it is far better to be content through clear wisdom. A person who is content through clear wisdom cannot be dominated by attachment and craving. (The Words of Inspiration – Udānavarga, Chapter 2: Desire, translated by Hajime Nakamura, Iwanami-Bunko)
Then, can it truly be said that Nirvana is the ultimate joy for human beings and the supreme state of happiness?
On this point, it can be said without any doubt that it is so.
Moreover, it is understood that, in principle, anyone can attain Nirvana, and the way to do so has already been taught.
In other words, whether one believes this, accumulates merit, and makes it a reality ultimately depends on the individual.
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