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Full Idea
Nirvana means safety from the everlasting round of adventures of which the world of sense consists. The hindoo and the buddhist for this is essentially their attitude, are simply afraid, afraid of more experience, afraid of life.
Gist of Idea
Nirvana means safety from sense experience, and hindus and buddhists are just afraid of life
Source
William James (Pragmatism - eight lectures [1907], Lec 8)
Book Ref
James,William: 'Pragmatism - eight lectures' [Dover 1995], p.113
A Reaction
Wonderfully American! From what I have seen of eastern thought, including Taoism, I agree with James, in general. There is a rejection of knowledge and of human life which I find shocking. I suspect it is a defence mechanism for downtrodden people.