Which religion regards Nirvana as the ultimate goal of liberation?

Which religion regards Nirvana as the ultimate goal of liberation?

• A. Hinduism
• B. Christianity
• C. Buddhism
• D. Sikhism

Answer: (C)

Nirvana as the ultimate goal of liberation is central to Buddhist teaching. In Buddhism, liberation means escaping the cycle of birth and death (samsara) by extinguishing craving, ignorance, and attachment. This state, Nirvana, represents the cessation of suffering and the end of all conditioned existence—often described as blowing out the fires that keep us trapped in samsara. The term Nirvana is specifically tied to Buddhist soteriology, highlighting a goal of awakening and freedom from repeated rebirth. Hinduism aims for moksha, a similar release from samsara but expressed with a different term and framework. Christianity centers on salvation and a relationship with God, rather than Nirvana as a state. Sikhism seeks liberation (mukti) and union with the divine, again not Nirvana as defined in Buddhist thought. Given these distinctions, Nirvana is the term and goal most closely associated with Buddhism.

Nirvana as the ultimate goal of liberation is central to Buddhist teaching. In Buddhism, liberation means escaping the cycle of birth and death (samsara) by extinguishing craving, ignorance, and attachment. This state, Nirvana, represents the cessation of suffering and the end of all conditioned existence—often described as blowing out the fires that keep us trapped in samsara. The term Nirvana is specifically tied to Buddhist soteriology, highlighting a goal of awakening and freedom from repeated rebirth.

Hinduism aims for moksha, a similar release from samsara but expressed with a different term and framework. Christianity centers on salvation and a relationship with God, rather than Nirvana as a state. Sikhism seeks liberation (mukti) and union with the divine, again not Nirvana as defined in Buddhist thought. Given these distinctions, Nirvana is the term and goal most closely associated with Buddhism.