Directly Visible Nibbāna (Enlightenment)

‘Master Gotama, it is said: ‘Directly visible Nibbāna, directly visible Nibbāna (Enlightenment). In what way is Nibbāna directly visible, immediate, inviting one to come and see, applicable, to be personally experienced by the wise?’

Brāhmin, one excited by craving, overcome by craving, with mind obsessed by it, intends for his own harm, for the harm of others, or for the harm of both, and he experiences mental discontentedness and sadness. But when craving is abandoned, he does not intend for his own harm, for the harm of others, or for the harm of both, and he does not experience mental discontentedness and sadness.

It is in this way, too, that Nibbāna (Enlightenment) is directly visible.

One full of anger, overcome by anger, with mind obsessed by it, intends for his own harm, for the harm of others, and for the harm of both, and he experiences mental discontentedness and sadness. But when anger is abandoned, he does not intend for his own harm, for the harm of others, or for the harm of both, and he does not experience mental discontentedness and sadness.

It is in this way, too, that Nibbāna is directly visible.

One who is unwise, overcome by ignorance (unknowing of true reality), with mind obsessed by it, intends for his own harm, for the harm of others, or for the harm of both, and he experiences mental discontentedness and sadness. But when ignorance (unknowing of true reality) is abandoned, he does not intend for his own harm, for the harm of others, or for the harm of both, and he does not experience mental discontentedness and sadness.

It is in this way, too, that Nibbāna is directly visible.

When, Brāhmin, one experiences the remainderless destruction of craving, the remainderless destruction of anger, and the remainderless destruction of ignorance (unknowing of true reality), it is in this way, too, that Nibbāna is directly visible, immediate, inviting one to come and see, applicable, to be personally experienced by the wise.

(Reference: AN 3.55)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how through the elimination of craving, anger, and ignorance (unknowing of true reality) that one can experience Enlightenment.

Detailed explanation of The Three Poisons is available in this same book series found in Chapter 8 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).