Question asked by Anaaya🌻🎃
Hello dear Pastor!
I recently read a book the “Dao” and the book mentions that even the stage of nirvana is not a permanent stage. Souls that get pure and ultimately reach nirvana also have to come back to the world and the souls that live in the world will ultimately reach nirvana and this cycle goes on forever . According to that book, this is how Dao sustains itself.
My question is, isn’t this belief in contradiction to the buddisht understanding of nirvana which is supposed to be a permanent liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth?
Dear Anaaya,
Thanks for your question. Daoism is not the same as Buddhism, they are two distinct religious systems. Just like, for example, Chritianity and Buddhism are two distinct religions. Some terminology in English may be the same due to ease of translation, however they are two very different religious systems with different beliefs, practices, etc. So yes, that belief does contradict Buddhist belief, as in Buddhist belief nirvana is the highest state that is permanent. I hope this helps. Thank you.