Question

What does the term "Mahaparinirvana" mean in Buddhism?

Answer 1

Glossary of Buddhism. InBuddhism, the term parinirvana (Sanskrit: parinirvāṇa; Pali: parinibbāna) is commonly used torefer to nirvana-after-death, which occurs upon the death of the body of someone who has attained nirvana during his or her lifetime.

Answer 2

Parinirvana is the final nirvana, usually understood to be within reach only upon the death of someone who has attained complete Awakening. It is the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice and implies a release from the cycle of deaths and rebirths as well as the dissolution of all worldly physical and mental aggregates.

Mahaparinirvana, meaning "great, complete Nirvana" refers to the ultimate state of Nirvana (everlasting, highest peace and happiness) entered by an Awakened Being Buddha.

Unlike ordinary Nirvana, "Mahaparinirvana" is the highest state or realm realised by a perfect Buddha, a state in which that Buddhic being awakens to "the Eternal, Bliss, the Self, and the Pure".