Glossary - individual

A/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/Q/R/S/T/U/V/W/X/Y/Z/Numbers

liberation (gedatsu 解脱)

Literally, to "unloosen" (ge 解) and "cast off" (datsu 脱) that which binds one to the round of birth and death. In the early Buddhist tradition, liberation meant attaining nirvana. In Mahayana sutras, liberation is often equated with insight into the emptiness of dharmas, which can be realized by bodhisattvas even as they remain in the round of rebirth to help living beings.