(Some guy starting to hate Buddhism)
i want to share this to you. though i was a born again christian my struggle with buddhism still continues. after my high school i continously wanted to know the true meaning of nirvana. i assumed that nirvana is a peaceful afterlife just like a passive version of our colorful heaven. i also interchanged the interpretation that once a person experienced nirvana peace of mind. however, it is not the buddhists who introduced me the real meaning of terminology of nirvana. it is christian apologists through their brief but almost accurate knowledge of buddhism sent my mind rotating 360 degree.
first, it is j isamu yamamoto's articles and books, who is also a japanese buddhist turned christian told me it is a state of nothingness but when buddhists are forced to debate with this they say experience it first and circular reasoning that it isnt nothingness.
second, various christian apologists pertained that it is nothingness. one from letusreason.org's scott noble's articles gave some light. he quoted on one article that there is a peace of mind nirvana before final extinction like dinosaurs nirvana.
lastly, i studied buddhists books that they are into circular reasoning and WORD PLAYS logically speaking it verified the frank and simple interpretation of nirvana of apologists into reality.
nirvana is not nothingness because there is nothing to start in the first place all is illusion. if you subscribe to buddhist context of no soul, illusion and no substance to a human being. for us who value personal identity so much it is nothingness. circular reasoning you see.

no wonder its vanity to see buddhists monarchs of thailand, samurais of japan and others talk about the transiency of life.

the more i looked upon the short comings of buddhism the ache of human psyche of immortality it made me instead a stronger christian than a feeble one.