Absolutely — describing Nibbāna is one of the most profound topics in Buddhism.
In the Abhidhamma and Suttas, Nibbāna is explained very carefully, because it is unlike anything conditioned (saṅkhata).
Let’s go step by step:
Nibbāna is the only dhamma that is not conditioned by causes and effects.
It does not arise, does not change, and does not cease.
In the Abhidhamma’s classification of ultimate realities:
There are 81/82 conditioned dhammas (cittas, cetasikas, rūpas)
And 1 unconditioned dhamma — Nibbāna.
In experiential terms, Nibbāna is the ending of greed, hatred, and delusion — permanently.
For an arahant at parinibbāna (final passing away), it is also the complete cessation of all aggregates — no more birth, aging, death.
Theravāda distinguishes:
Aspect
Pāli Term
Meaning
With Remainder
Sa-upādisesa-nibbāna
The Nibbāna realized by a living arahant — defilements have ceased, but body and mental processes still function until death.
Without Remainder
Anupādisesa-nibbāna
The Nibbāna at the death of an arahant — no aggregates remain, no more rebirth.
The Buddha explicitly said Nibbāna is not a “place” where someone goes.
It is more accurate to say “the going out of the fire” — a state where craving (the fuel) is extinguished.
While Nibbāna is often described in terms of cessation and ending, some suttas also use positive language:
Amata – the Deathless
Santi – Peace
Siva – Bliss, Security
Asoka – Free from sorrow
Nirāmisa Sukha – Happiness not of the flesh
But these are meant to inspire practice, not to imply a “heavenly existence.”
Nibbāna is a timeless reality that can be directly experienced by the supramundane cittas (magga & phala).
It is not produced, not dependent, and not impermanent.
Its function (according to Abhidhamma) is to be the object of path and fruition consciousness and to be the cessation of suffering.
Extinguishing of a Fire: The flame does not go “somewhere else” when extinguished — it simply ceases because fuel is gone.
Unbinding: Like untying a knot — the tension is gone.
The Far Shore: Crossing beyond the river of saṃsāra.
Aspect
Description
Nature
The unconditioned reality (asaṅkhata)
Function
The object of magga/phala citta; cessation of suffering
Result
No more rebirth, no more defilements
Is It a Place?
No — it is a state/realization, not a location
Experience
Peace, freedom, bliss of release
So, Nibbāna is best described as the total freedom from conditioned existence — a state beyond birth and death, beyond space and time, beyond “exist” and “not exist.”