Define Enlightenment

General discussion, particularly exploring the Dharma in the modern world.
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Sammytwp
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Define Enlightenment

Post by Sammytwp »

It's the end all be all, the goal if you will, although if you think about it in that way you can't reach it, (how's that for some karma) but just how does one define enlightenment? I've read Mr' Snyder's book and he addresses this somewhat, I'd like to know everyone's own definition?


Thank you in advance for your replies.
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Wayfarer
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Re: Define Enlightenment

Post by Wayfarer »

The word that was originally translated as 'enlightenment' in the Buddhist context was Bodhi. This translation was made by T W Rhys-Davids, founder of the Pali text society; and one of the reasons he used the term 'enlightenment' was due to its resonances with 'the European enlightenment', as he was of the view that the original form of Buddhism was a 'religion of reason'.

The Wikipedia definition of 'bodhi' is as follows:
Bodhi (Sanskrit: बोधि; and Pali) in Buddhism is the understanding possessed by a Buddha regarding the nature of things. It is traditionally translated into English with the word 'enlightenment' and literally means awakened. Bodhi is knowledge of the causal mechanism by which beings incarnate into material form and experience suffering.
That is probably as near as you will get to a definition, as definitions are very difficult when it comes to such seminal ideas.
'Only practice with no gaining idea' ~ Suzuki Roshi
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Kaccāni
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Re: Define Enlightenment

Post by Kaccāni »

It makes you "lighter" ;-)
Shush! I'm doing nose-picking practice!
steveb1
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Re: Define Enlightenment

Post by steveb1 »

Loss of ego defined as "the anxious, grasping self" - ?

Loss of "the defilements" - ?

Entry into "the deathless state" - ?
Sammytwp
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Re: Define Enlightenment

Post by Sammytwp »

Wayfarer wrote:
That is probably as near as you will get to a definition, as definitions are very difficult when it comes to such seminal ideas.
Yea, I almost said personal definitions in my post because it does seem to be a fluid concept. This is why I'm interested in everyone's opinion.
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Osho
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Re: Define Enlightenment

Post by Osho »

Here- Now

:smile:
More about Mindfulness here
http://bemindful.co.uk/

" A Zen master's life is one continuous mistake."
(Dogen).
Arjan Dirkse
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Re: Define Enlightenment

Post by Arjan Dirkse »

Smarten up? Get real? Clear your head?
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Challenge23
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Re: Define Enlightenment

Post by Challenge23 »

It is a very good question.

And, unfortunately, it is one where, to be honest, Buddhism is a religion and not a philosophy.

There isn't really a speicfic definition of Enlightenment that everyone agrees on. The only thing that everyone seems to be able to agree on is that

A. Enlightenment exists
B. It can be attained
C. It is a really, really good thing.

Each of these things pretty much have to be taken on faith(especially the third point). It really, really sucks but there it is.
IN THIS BOOK IT IS SPOKEN OF THE SEPHIROTH & THE PATHS, OF SPIRITS & CONJURATIONS, OF GODS, SPHERES, PLANES & MANY OTHER THINGS WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT EXIST. IT IS IMMATERIAL WHETHER THEY EXIST OR NOT. BY DOING CERTAIN THINGS CERTAIN RESULTS FOLLOW; STUDENTS ARE MOST EARNESTLY WARNED AGAINST ATTRIBUTING OBJECTIVE REALITY OR PHILOSOPHICAL VALIDITY TO ANY OF THEM.

Wagner, Eric; Wilson, Robert Anton (2004-12-01). An Insider's Guide to Robert Anton Wilson (Kindle Locations 1626-1629). New Falcon Publications. Kindle Edition., quoting from Alister Crowley
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LastLegend
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Re: Define Enlightenment

Post by LastLegend »

If I were enlightened, I would be able to tell you.
It’s eye blinking.
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lobster
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Re: Define Enlightenment

Post by lobster »

LastLegend wrote:If I were enlightened, I would be able to tell you.
Perhaps. Perhaps not.

:oops:

I would define it in terms of experience over conjecture.

:popcorn:
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oushi
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Re: Define Enlightenment

Post by oushi »

Say what you think about me here.
KonchokZoepa
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Re: Define Enlightenment

Post by KonchokZoepa »

enlightenment is just a word.

There are many stages or spiritual development.
If the thought of demons
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

-Milarepa

OMMANIPADMEHUNG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
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