Understanding Nirvana: The Realm Beyond Existence : หน้า 116/263

same happiness to us as if we were really in āyatanā nibbāna — but we are still ‘alive’ in our human body. 2. Nirvana without residual aggregates (Anupādisesa Nirvana [Nibbāna]) is the Nirvana that is a realm of “existence” outside our body and mind. Sometimes it is called ‘posthumous’ Nirvana because you can only go there after the breaking up of your five aggregates for the last time (one will not be reborn again). The Dhammakāya which one has attained by touching upon sa-upādisesa nibbāna will be drawn through the centre and enter upon anupādisesa nibbāna. This latter attainment is what we call āyatanā nibbāna’ which is the quest of all Noble Ones. Thus āyatanā nibbāna is the location of Nirvana. 3. The ‘sphere’ or ‘location’ of Nirvana (Āyatanā Nirvana [Nibbāna]) actually exists but it is not made up of normal elements like earth, water, wind and fire in the same way as things we can see with the naked eye. It is neither in this world or another world. It is not the sun, the moon or the stars because all of those things are still within the Three Spheres [bhava] and are hence mundane [lokiya]. Nirvana is outside the Three Spheres and is transcultural [lokuttara]. In Nirvana there is no movement, no coming or going. Those who have attained the path of Buddhist sainthood are able to see past Buddhas sitting deep in meditation [nirodha samāpati] in āyatanā nibbāna, more numerous than all the grains of sand in the four oceans. All that remains of them are their Dhamma Bodies — but Dhamma Bodies more exquisite than any Dhamma Body you can perceive within yourself — Dhamma Bodies that are self-sufficient with boundless happiness independent of any outside influence — because the mind of those Buddhas has transcended all suffering entirely, having attained the true fulfilment of life.