Day 69: Understanding Virāga Saññā through the Girimānanda Sutta (AN 10.60) – Study Notes from BMV Monday Sutta Study with Bhante Dr. G. Chandima

Why Virāga Saññā?

The term Virāga refers to the quality of being free from lust. It alludes to the nature of Nibbāna, indicating that Virāga Saññā represents a perception where the mind is no longer colored (rāga) or influenced by greed or craving. This complete absence of rāga (lust) marks the profound peace of Nibbāna, highlighting that the cessation of craving is not just a fleeting experience, but the essence of Nibbāna itself.

Virāga is the state where the greed  and cravings that perpetuate dissatisfaction (dukkha) cease to exist. It is the extinguishing of rāga to sensory pleasures, material posessions, and emotional reactions. The Buddha described virāga as the cooling of the heart and mind, where the burning states of greed and aversion are no longer present. It also signifies liberation from the endless cycle of craving and clinging, which originates in taṇhā (craving). It is the freedom from the constant urge to satisfy the mind through external objects or experiences.

If the Girimānanda Sutta (AN 10.60) is primarily concerned with the path to healing and not solely with Nibbāna, why then does the Buddha describe Nibbāna through the lens of Virāga Saññā? This is because the Buddha wished to provide Venerable Girimānanda with a clear understanding that the characteristics described under Virāga Saññā point directly to the nature of Nibbāna.

Such an understanding not only serves as a potential path to Nibbāna but also plays a crucial role in healing. Even without direct realization or enlightenment, comprehending the nature of Nibbāna can still bring profound healing. This understanding helps to soften the grip of craving, allowing one to experience peace and mental clarity. It is through this awareness that one begins to transcend the emotional and mental burdens that fuel dukkha, fostering a deep sense of inner healing and transformation.

How Does the Buddha Introduce Nibbāna with Virāga Saññā?

The Buddha explains: 

"This is peaceful, this is sublime: the stilling of all formations, the relinquishment of all acquisitions, the destruction of craving, lustlessness, Nibbāna." This is known as the perception of virāga. (AN 10.60)

1. Peaceful (santaṁ)
2. Sublime (paṇītaṁ)
3. The Stilling of All Mental, Verbal and Physical Formations (sabba saṅkhāra samatho)
4. The Relinquishment of All Acquisitions (sabba upadhi paṭinissaggo)
5. The Destruction of Craving (taṇhākkhayo)
6. Lustlessness (virāgo)
7. Nibbāna

1. Peaceful (santaṁ)

This represents the cessation of greed, craving, and clinging, leading to freedom from dissatisfaction and the dissolution of the illusion of a permanent self. It marks the attainment of ultimate liberation and unshakable equanimity.

2. Sublime (paṇītaṁ)

Nibbāna is not only peaceful but also sublime, meaning it transcends ordinary human experience. It is extraordinarily pure, free from the defilements of ignorance and craving, revealing a beauty that transcends the mundane. Nibbāna represents perfect clarity, wisdom, and liberation from the cycle of Samsara.

Nibbāna as Sublime:

• End of Defilements: Nibbāna represents the purity of the mind, free from the corruptions (defilements) of craving and ignorance, offering sublime clarity.

• Realization of the True Nature of Reality: Direct insight into the changing (anicca), unsatisfactory (dukkha), and not-self nature of all phenomena (anatta) produces a profound sense of wonder and beauty.

• Freedom from Samsara: The ultimate transcendence from dukkha, Nibbāna offers freedom beyond time, space, and the cycle of birth and death.

• Unconditioned Bliss: Nibbāna embodies a timeless, pure bliss that is not conditioned by external circumstances and is marked by deep contentment.

• Beyond Conceptualization: Nibbāna is ineffable—its profound nature cannot be fully captured by words or concepts. It transcends ordinary experience and points to the sacred.

3. The Stilling of All Mental, Verbal and Physical Formations (sabba saṅkhāra samatho)

This phrase signifies the cessation of all mental, verbal, and physical activities driven by craving and ignorance. Saṅkhāras (mental, verbal and physical formations) are the mental and emotional impulses that fuel dukkha. The stilling of these activities represents the cessation of the cycle of dukkha and the attainment of inner peace.

4. The Relinquishment of All Acquisitions (sabba upadhi paṭinissaggo)

This refers to the release of an extreme possessive mindset towards both tangible and intangible things, including material possessions, personal identities, and mental constructs. When all acquisitions are relinquished, the mind is liberated from the weight of craving and clinging, thereby breaking free from the cycle of craving.

Acquisitions (upadhi) include everything we cling to—physical objects, ideas, identities, relationships, and even our self-concept. Letting go of these acquisitions is essential for freeing the mind from the chains of craving and ignorance, allowing for true liberation.

5. The Destruction of Craving (taṇhākkhayo)

Craving (taṇhā) is the root cause of dukkha. It fuels the cycle of samsara and binds us to a life of continuous desire and dissatisfaction.

The destruction of craving marks the cessation of the three primary forms of craving:

Kāma-taṇhā: Craving for sensual pleasures.
Bhava-taṇhā: Craving for existence or becoming something.
Vibhava-taṇhā: Craving for non-existence or annihilation.

The destruction of these cravings leads to the cessation of taṇhā and marks the attainment of Nibbāna.

6. Lustlessness (virāgo)

Nibbāna is often described as a state of Virāga, meaning  or freedom from lust. Virāga is not cold indifference but a profound liberation from the bonds of greed. It signifies the cessation of the mental and emotional stirrings that drive us toward dukkha, making Nibbāna a state of deep peace and contentment.