By following the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path by giving up all your desires, you will be given a chance to enter Nirvana.  There are two choices upon given the chance to enter Nirvana: to enter, or remain in this world as a Boddhisvitta.  Many traditions will direct you to one way or another, after you are given the chance to enter Nirvana, but we allow you to choose for yourself.

By following the teachings of the Buddha, you can become an Arahant.  Having crossed over your suffering, and the suffering of others, you will find yourself in the land of no wind (no change).  In this land you will no longer have desires, and you will be completely content. You will also no longer be trapped in the Samsara cycle of birth and death.

By choosing to remain in this life instead of ascending to Nirvana, you will become a Boddhisvitta.  Boddhisvittas remain in this realm to enlighten others who wish to reach Nirvana as well.  The Buddha himself was such a Boddhisvitta, and has founded an entire philosophy devoted to helping people follow the path he walked.

Nirvana is the end of suffering in this lifetime, and all future lifetimes since Samsara, the perpetual cycle of birth and death is ended there.  Every path found in Buddhism will ultimately end in Nirvana; however, it may take many lifetimes to finally reach this goal.

-Berig