In five pages the similarities and differences of the Hindu Mokska, which is liberation from matter and the Nirvana of Buddhism, which is perfect knowledge acquisition are examined. Five sources are cited in the bibliography.
Name of Research Paper File: CC6_KSnirvMoksha.rtf
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interpreter for Westerners, tells a story exemplifying the need for total surrender before any higher state can be attained. The legend he tells holds that someone attacked a laundryman
at work and began beating him, and the laundryman immediately cried to Vishnu for help. Vishnu was involved with his consort Lakshmi at the time, but on "hearing the
piteous cry of the laundryman he rose and started running towards the earth. A moment later, however, Lakshmi saw him strolling back in a leisurely way" (Mudaliar, 2000[1964]; p. pathdev).
Lakshmi demanded to know first why Vishnu had run away so suddenly without warning or explanation, and why he was strolling back in such a relaxed manner.
Vishnu explained to her: "A devotee was beaten and prayed to me for help and protection, so I had to run to his rescue.
But before I got there he took up a stick to defend himself, so why should I bother?" (Mudaliar, 2000[1964]; p. pathdev).
Mudaliar (2000[1964]) uses the parable to illustrate the teaching of Bhagavan, which was that surrender must be complete, else it is not surrender at all. "Such surrender has
been taught as a sure and sufficient means for the attainment of our spiritual goal, call it Mukti, Moksha, Nirvana, Liberation or what you will" (Mudaliar, 2000[1964]; p. pathdev).
Mudaliar (2000[1964]) links the final state of all religions as a point of linking all religions despite their different ideological bases, but the point here is to determine nuances of
their differences, particularly that between Nirvana and Moksha. Nirvana A Buddhist glossary defines Nirvana as