ABSTRACT
We have traced the early doctrinal history of the nirvana concept and the two nirvana theory that depended on the image of a fire extinguished, while challenging two seemingly solid opinions that seem to be outcomes of the lack of comprehensive understanding of nirvana and its metaphorical structure. The first opinion was related closely to the interpretation of nirvana with a remainder of clinging, while the second opinion was associated with the state of nirvana without a remainder of clinging, the state of the TathAgata after death.
