The Avatar State and Nirvana

You've heard it all before. Connection to the cosmic energy of the

Phenomenal Cosmic Power! From
Book 3: Fire - Sozin's Comet, Part 4

universe, separation from the limitations of our limited awareness. Whether it's called the avatar state, the force, falling down the rabbit hole, or nirvana, our culture is plenty aware of what buddhist are constantly trying to achieve, though we may not realize it. But it usually isn't as simple as taking a red pill (NOT LSD!) and waking up in wonderland - especially if you're a Buddhist; or Aang. The Avatar State is, according to Aang's past life Roku, a defense mechanism that allows the Avatar to tap into the combined power and experience of all his past lives. In it he is one with both the spiritual and physical worlds, the past and the present. 

This obviously draws inspiration from the Buddhist concept of nirvana, which is the extinguishment of dukkha, suffering caused by attachment, aversion, and ignorance. This is achieved through the Noble Eightfold Path, a long and arduous process of mindful and concentrated meditation. So what does the Avatar have to do to achieve the Avatar State? Pretty much the same thing! Except, instead of extinguishing dukkha via the Noble Eightfold Path, he meditates to clear up an imbalance of his chakras. 

"What are chakras?"
from Book 2: Earth - The Guru

The chakras are pools of spiraling energy in the body that play a central role in the Tibetan Buddhists quest for enlightenment. The goal of Tibetan Buddhism actually differs from that of most Buddhists, as, instead of wanting to achieve enlightenment for escape from reality, they strive to attain "buddhahood" in order to better serve others and help them achieve the same enlightenment. This is a perfect parallel to the Avatar's use of the Avatar State, to better keep the world in balance, not to detach from it. 

There are seven chakras, following the spine from the base of the back to the crown of the head. The Earth chakra, located at the bass of the spine, deals with survival, and in the show is blocked by fear; the water chakra, located in the pelvis, deals with pleasure and is blocked by guilt; the Fire chakra, located in the stomach, deals with willpower and is blocked by same; the heart chakra, located... yeah you know, deals with love, and is blocked by grief; the sound chakra, located in the throat, deals with truth and is blocked by lies; the light chakra, located in the center of the forehead, deals with insight and is blocked by illusion (especially the illusion of separation - because all living beings are in fact interconnected); and the thought chakra, located at the crown of the head, deals with pure cosmic energy and is blocked by earthly attachments. 

And as to be expected, Aang has a problem with this last one, especially when he sees a vision of one such earthly attachments in danger, and decides to halt his training to go save them. Almost like a certain wannabe Jedi we know, hm? Well thankfully do to a conveniently placed deus ex machina in the final act of the serious, Neo, I mean Aang eventually manages to achieve full control of the Avatar State and save the world anyway because, lest you forget, this is a kids show. A very complex and thought provoking kids show, but a kids show none the less.