apratiṣṭha-nirvāṇa

(Sanskrit). Literally, ‘unlocalized nirvāṇa’. The Mahāyāna concept of the ideal state of nirvāṇa. It is said to be ‘unlocalized’ because in this state a Buddha does not dwell exclusively in either saṃsāra or nirvāṇa. By virtue of his great insight (prajñā) and awareness (jñāna) he does not dwell in saṃsāra, and because of his great compassion (karuṇā) he does not disappear into final nirvāṇa.