Buddha says that the path of gain is different from the path of nirvana. This statement invites us to think deeply and also helps us understand its relevance in today’s life.

In this idea, Buddha is clearly distinguishing between success in the material world and success in the spiritual world.

When Buddha says that the path of gain is different, he is reminding us that in the material world, success can be achieved through many paths. However, not all of these paths are right—many of them can be wrong and unethical.

For example, Alexander conquered a large part of the world through the power of the sword. He became a great king in the eyes of the world, but from a spiritual perspective, or in the sense of Buddha’s nirvana, his achievements hold no real value. Similarly, Jesus said, “What does it profit a person if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?”

Even today, we see many people who achieve success through deceit, manipulation, and unethical actions. Outwardly, they appear successful, but inwardly, they often feel empty.

That is why Buddha does not give importance to success gained through wrong means. He wants us to understand that not every success is worth achieving.

He also gives us a very practical message: in life, situations will come where easy success is available through wrong means—by lying, hurting others, or taking shortcuts. In those moments, we must remember that such success is temporary. Sooner or later, we have to face its consequences. This is the law of karma—our actions always return to us in some form.

Now let us turn to Buddha’s second statement—that the path of nirvana is different.

First, we need to understand what nirvana means. Nirvana is freedom from the cycle of birth and death, and more practically, it is a state of deep inner peace and freedom from suffering

To achieve this, Buddha gave the Eightfold Path. Here, I will focus on three important aspects: right thought, right action, and right speech.

1. Right Thought

Buddha says that we are what we have thought. In simple terms, we become what we think. If our thoughts are filled with greed, jealousy, and selfishness, our actions will reflect the same. But if our thoughts are ethical and focused on the well-being of others, we move closer to inner peace.

At times, we may feel that others are succeeding through wrong means, so why should we remain ethical? In such moments, we must pause and ask ourselves: Is this thought taking me closer to nirvana, or further away?

Keeping our thoughts ethical is essential because they shape both our actions and our speech. As Buddha said, “It is intention that I call karma.”

2. Right Action

In Buddha’s philosophy, karma is one of the most important ideas.

Right action means not harming others—not stealing, not killing—but also actively doing good: helping others sincerely, treating everyone with kindness, and walking on the path of truth.

History gives us many examples—Ambedkar, Abraham Lincoln, Helen Keller, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela. These individuals chose the harder but ethical path and dedicated their lives to justice and humanity. In doing so, they moved, knowingly or unknowingly, toward a higher moral and spiritual state.

We may not be able to do great things like them, but at our own level, we can still choose to do small good actions every day.

3. Right Speech

Right speech means speaking truthfully, avoiding gossip, and not using harsh words. It means speaking with kindness, honesty, and sensitivity.

Our words have the power to hurt or to heal. When we speak with care and compassion, we uplift others as well as ourselves.

Conclusion

Now we can clearly see the difference between the path of gain and the path of nirvana.

One path may offer quick success, sometimes even through wrong means. The other path requires patience, ethics, and self-awareness, but it leads to lasting peace.

In the end, every individual has to decide which path they want to follow.

My purpose in this essay was simply to present both paths and their consequences, and to encourage those who are trying to walk on the path of goodness and truth.