Nirvana is a state that is free from any form of contamination of the mind such as lust, anger or craving, a state of perfect peace unobstructed by psychological conditioning (sankhara).

Buddha in Dhammapada describes Nirvana as "the highest happiness". By achieving Nirvana all forms of cravings are extinguished such that one is no longer subject to human suffering or further states of rebirths in the samsara. The knowledge accompanying nirvana is expressed through the word bodhi. Buddha describes the abiding in Nirvana as "deathlessness"or "the unconditioned" and as the highest spiritual attainment, the natural result that accrues to one who lives a life of virtuous conduct in accordance with dharma.