In this paper I discuss the Buddhist concept of nirvāṇa, beginning with a definition of this term and a clarification of its meaning, followed by a detailed presentation of the topic, with an emphasis on the right view of nirvāṇa and how this relates to Buddhist practice. I also discuss how nirvāṇa relates to the doctrines of saṃsāra, the eternal abiding of the Tathāgata, and the omnipresence of the buddha-nature. Relying mainly on the relevant passages in the Daboreboluomiduojing (Mahāprajñāpāramitā-Sūtra) and the Dabanniepanjing (Mahāparinirvāṇa-Sūtra), I make a detailed analysis of nirvāṇa and how it is used in various Buddhist scriptures. My main purpose is to clarify how the doctrine of nirvāṇa relates to spiritual practice and the primary mission of the Tathāgata. I also discuss a number of related topics and clarify the difference between nirvāṇa and mahāparinirvāṇa by way of semantic analysis and how they are used in the scriptures. The term nirvāṇa occurs in a wide variety of contexts in the Buddhist scriptures and in relation to numerous related topics. Thus I adopt a variety of perspectives for investigating the meaning and usage of this central Buddhist doctrine, making particular reference to the distinct usage of the terms nirvāṇa and liberation with remainder which occur in the Dafagujing (Mahābherīhārakaparivarta-Sūtra), the Yangjuemoluojing (Aṅgulimālīya-Sūtra), and the Zhong lun (Mūlamadhyamakakārikā), and make this the basis for the subsequent discussion. In the Dabanniepanjing the defining characteristics of nirvāṇa are said to be liberation, ineffability, being self-evident, being neither bound nor liberated, being in the original and ordinary nature of things, being of the nature of emptiness, and being the result of continuous practice. In actual spiritual practice transcending wisdom is used to connect with nirvāṇa, which is provisionally designated as empty, non-dual, and the genuine insight of the Tathāgata, culminating in a view of the world which is not only accurate, but also unlimited, infinite, unbounded, and as vast as space. In this connection Buddhism speaks of two types of truth, conventional and ultimate, the latter of which is cultivated in spiritual practice, especially meditation, and leads to unsurpassable enlightenment and unbounded liberation. And when the world is understood as non-dual,
