Samsara, otherwise known as cyclic existence, refers to the continual cycle of birth, death and rebirth; a continuum containing our constant emotional reactions and delusive thought. Samsara persists until we awaken to the true nature of appearances.
Nirvana is the existence above and apart from the material world of suffering; the cessation of rebirth in Samsaric form. Nirvana is beyond suffering, the termination of our problems and pain.
The Buddha taught that Nirvana was possible, and that Samsara was escapable. If we can understand that suffering - and the causes of suffering - are reliant on the state of our mind, then we can learn to change our attitude, and so eradicate suffering. If it is that our mind is ignorant, deluded, our view and thought distorted, then we can work on our mind in order to extinguish the problem. We are able to learn a wisdom which can lead us to be free of the distortions and delusions, which would otherwise continue to lead us into wrongful deeds, speech and thought. Eventually, when we learn enough of this true knowledge, we can completely free ourselves from Samsara, and enter Nirvana - a freedom from suffering. To achieve this ability to become free of Samsara, we can use the method offered to us by the Buddha in the Fourth Noble Truth.
"I teach about suffering and the way to end it" ~ Shakyamuni Buddha
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