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The Twelve Verses on the Middle Way
Nirvana is neither existence nor non-existence, but transcends these two extremes. It is a state of non-receiving, unborn and undying, not dependent on conditioned arising. All conditioned dharmas, like a piece of wood that still exists or has disappeared, rely on causes and conditions (the sun, clouds, earth, fire, oxygen), so both “existence” and “non-existence” are dependent. Only Nirvana is “non-dependent,” independent, free, and true peace that is not subject to change.
The list of the four propositions expresses the four statements often misunderstood about Nirvana:
- existence
- non-existence
- both existence and non-existence
-
neither existence nor non-existence
Nirvana does not belong to any of these four propositions, nor is it the result of mixing “existence” and “non-existence,” because both arise from receiving (dependence on causes and conditions) and will perish.
Craving for being and non-being is also a delusion to be overcome:
- bhava tanha (craving for being)
-
vibhava tanha (craving for non-being)
The Buddha taught not to cling to either, because Nirvana is a state that transcends all dualities, and cannot be limited by notions of “existence” or “non-existence.”
