Satori (悟り?) (Chinese: 悟; pinyin: wù; Korean 오) is a Japanese Buddhist Buddhists recognize him as an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end their suffering by understanding the true nature of phenomena, thereby escaping the cycle of suffering and rebirth , that is, achieving Nirvana. Among the methods various schools of Buddhism apply towards this goal are: ethical conduct and altruistic term for "enlightenment." The word literally means "understanding." "Satori" translates as a flash of sudden awareness, or individual enlightenment, and while satori is from the Zen Buddhist Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism, translated from the Chinese word Chán. Chán is itself derived from the Sanskrit Dhyāna, which means "meditation" tradition, enlightenment Enlightenment broadly means wisdom or understanding enabling clarity of perception. However, the English word covers two concepts which can be quite distinct: religious or spiritual enlightenment and secular or intellectual enlightenment. This can cause confusion, since those who claim intellectual enlightenment often reject spiritual concepts can be simultaneously considered "the first step" or embarkation toward nirvana In sramanic thought, Nirvana is the state of being free from both suffering and the cycle of rebirth. It is an important concept in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

Satori is typically juxtaposed with a related term known as kensho Kenshō (C. Wu) is a Japanese term for enlightenment experiences—most commonly used within the confines of Zen Buddhism, which translates as "seeing one's nature." Kensho experiences tend to be briefer glimpses, while satori is considered to be a deeper spiritual experience. Satori is as well an intuitive experience and has been described as being similar to awakening one day with an additional pair of arms, and only later learning how to use them.

Contents

Attaining satori

Practitioners of Zen Buddhism attain satori through personal experience. The traditional way of achieving satori, and the most typical way taught to Zen students in the West, is through the use of koans A kōan is a story, dialogue, question, or statement in the history and lore of Zen Buddhism, generally containing aspects that are inaccessible to rational understanding, yet may be accessible to intuition. A famous kōan is: "Two hands clap and there is a sound; what is the sound of one hand?" (oral tradition attributed to Hakuin Ekaku, such as those found in the collection known as the Gateless Gate The Gateless Gate is a collection of 48 Chan (Zen) koans compiled in the early 13th century by the Chinese Zen master Wumen Hui-k'ai (無門慧開)(1183-1260) (Japanese: Mumon Ekai). Wumen's preface indicates that the volume was published in 1228. Each koan is accompanied by a commentary and verse by Wumen. A classic edition includes a 49th case, which is also known as the Mumonkan The Gateless Gate is a collection of 48 Chan (Zen) koans compiled in the early 13th century by the Chinese Zen master Wumen Hui-k'ai (無門慧開)(1183-1260) (Japanese: Mumon Ekai). Wumen's preface indicates that the volume was published in 1228. Each koan is accompanied by a commentary and verse by Wumen. A classic edition includes a 49th case. Koans are riddle-like rhetorical puzzles that students use to assist in the realization of satori; these words and phrases were also used by the early Zen masters.

The Gateless Gate was assembled by the early 13th century Chinese Zen master Wumen Hui-k'ai (無門慧開). The Zen master Yuelin Shiguan (月林師觀; Japanese: Gatsurin Shikan) (1143-1217) gave Wumen the koan "Zhaozhou’s dog", with which Wumen struggled for six years before he finally attained realization. After his understanding had been confirmed by Yuelin, Wumen wrote the following enlightenment poem:

A thunderclap under the clear blue sky
All beings on earth open their eyes;
Everything under heaven bows together;
Mount Sumeru leaps up and dances.

It is worthwhile to consider that regardless of whatever word is used to describe enlightenment, it refers to a primal experience with different words to describe the experience simply "red herrings" to lead would-be avatars away from the path where the path is one and not to be distinguished or separated from the one making the journey. Modern day physicists would equate enlightenment, satori, nirvana or cosmic consciousness as "the big bang" with most observers unaware that the light from stars is not to be distinguished from their own consciousness having the same origin.

Satori and kensho

Satori is sometimes loosely used interchangeably with kensho, but kensho refers to the first perception of the Buddha-Nature or True-Nature, sometimes referred to as "awakening." Distinct from kensho, which is not a permanent state of enlightenment but a clear glimpse of the true nature of existence, satori is used to refer to a "deep" or lasting state of enlightenment.

Japanese symbol for satori

Satori in the Zen tradition does not randomly happen to an individual, and practitioners of Zen Buddhism work to achieve an enlightened state. The student's mind must be prepared by rigorous study, with the use of koans, and with mediation to clear the mind of all attachments to the physical world.

It is therefore customary to use the word satori, rather than kensho, when referring to the enlightened states of the Buddha and the Patriarchs with Bodhisatvas; these figues recognized that "all things are Buddha things" and therfore any separation between self and the universe is illusory.

According to D. T. Suzuki, "Satori is the raison d'être of Zen Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism, translated from the Chinese word Chán. Chán is itself derived from the Sanskrit Dhyāna, which means "meditation", without which Zen is no Zen. Therefore every contrivance, disciplinary and doctrinal, is directed towards satori."[1]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Suzuki, Daisetz Teitaro: An Introduction to Zen Buddhism, Rider & Co., 1948
Buddhism Buddhists recognize him as an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end their suffering by understanding the true nature of phenomena, thereby escaping the cycle of suffering and rebirth , that is, achieving Nirvana. Among the methods various schools of Buddhism apply towards this goal are: ethical conduct and altruistic • Portal Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices considered by most to be a religion. Buddhism is based on the teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as "The Buddha" , who lived in the northeastern region of the Indian subcontinent and likely died around 400 BCE. Buddhists recognize him as an awakened teacher who shared
Articles: Concepts Several Buddhist terms and concepts lack direct translations into English that cover the breadth of the original term. Below are given a number of important Buddhist terms, short definitions, and the languages in which they appear. In this list, an attempt has been made to organize terms by their original form and give translations and synonyms in • History The History of Buddhism spans the 6th century BCE to the present, starting with the birth of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama. This makes it one of the oldest religions practiced today. Starting in India, the religion evolved as it spread through Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. At one time or another it affected most of the Asian continent – Timeline Some sources give the date of the Buddha's birth as 563 BCE and others as 624 BCE; Theravada Buddhist countries tend to use the latter figure. This displaces all the dates in the following table about 61 years further back. See Theravada Buddhism • Schools Schools of Buddhism are classified in various ways. Normal English-language usage divides Buddhism into Theravada (also known by the name Hinayana, which many consider pejorative) and Mahayana. The most common classification among scholars is threefold, with Mahayana split into East Asian (also known simply as Mahayana) and Vajrayana, or Tibetan • Texts Buddhist texts can be categorized in a number of ways. The Western terms "scripture" and "canonical" are applied to Buddhism in inconsistent ways by Western scholars: for example, one authority refers to "scriptures and other canonical texts", while another says that scriptures can be categorized into canonical, • Countries Obtaining exact numbers of practicing Buddhists can be difficult and may be reliant on the definition used. Adherents of Eastern religions such as Buddhism with local Animism, Chinese folk religion, Confucianism, Shamanism, Shinto, and Taoism often have beliefs composed of a mix of religious ideas. However, according to the Western standards of – Regions • Culture • Lists: Temples Buddhist temples, monasteries, stupas, and pagodas sorted by location – People Individuals are grouped by nationality, except in cases where the vast majority of their influence was felt elsewhere. Gautama Buddha and his contemporary disciples are listed separately from later Indian Buddhist thinkers, teachers and contemplatives – Topics Categories: Buddhism | Buddhist terms | Buddhism-related lists |
Buddhism Buddhists recognize him as an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end their suffering by understanding the true nature of phenomena, thereby escaping the cycle of suffering and rebirth , that is, achieving Nirvana. Among the methods various schools of Buddhism apply towards this goal are: ethical conduct and altruistic topics Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Foundations In East Asia, the character for Dharma is 法, pronounced fǎ in Mandarin and hō in Japanese. The Tibetan translation of this term is chos . In Mongolian dharma is translated as nom, which is noteworthy since it ultimately derives from the Greek word νομος (nomos) (law) Three Jewels The Three Jewels, also called the Three Treasures, the Three Refuges, or the Triple Gem, are the three things that Buddhists take refuge in, and look toward for guidance, in the process known as taking refuge (Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent who founded Buddhism. He is generally seen by Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha (Sammāsambuddha) of our age. The time of his birth and death are uncertain: most early 20th-century historians date his lifetime from c. 563 BCE to 483 BCE; more recently, · Dharma In East Asia, the character for Dharma is 法, pronounced fǎ in Mandarin and hō in Japanese. The Tibetan translation of this term is chos . In Mongolian dharma is translated as nom, which is noteworthy since it ultimately derives from the Greek word νομος (nomos) (law) · Sangha Sangha is a word in Pali or Sanskrit that can be translated roughly as "association" or "assembly," "company" or "community" with common goal, vision or purpose. It is commonly used in several senses to refer to Buddhist or Jain groups. Traditionally, in Buddhism Sangha almost always has one of two meanings:) · Four Noble Truths The Four Noble Truths (Sanskrit: catvāri āryasatyāni;Wylie: 'phags pa'i bden pa bzhi; Pali: cattāri ariyasaccāni) is one of the most fundamental Buddhist teachings. In broad terms, these truths relate to suffering (or dukkha), its nature, its origin, its cessation and the path leading to its cessation. They are among the truths Gautama Buddha · Noble Eightfold Path The Noble Eightfold Path is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering and the achievement of self-awakening. It is used in Buddhist practice as a technique to develop insight into the true nature of phenomena (or reality) and to eradicate greed, hatred, and delusion. The Noble · Nirvana In sramanic thought, Nirvana is the state of being free from both suffering and the cycle of rebirth. It is an important concept in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism · Middle Way More specifically, in Theravada Buddhism's Pali Canon, the Middle Way crystallizes the Buddha's Nirvana-bound path of moderation away from the extremes of sensual indulgence and self-mortification and toward the practice of wisdom, morality and mental cultivation. In later Theravada texts as well as in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, the Middle
The Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent who founded Buddhism. He is generally seen by Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha (Sammāsambuddha) of our age. The time of his birth and death are uncertain: most early 20th-century historians date his lifetime from c. 563 BCE to 483 BCE; more recently, Tathāgata Tathāgata in Pali and Sanskrit (Chin., Jpn.: 如来; Kor.:여래; Vietnamese: Như Lai) means, confusingly perhaps, both one who has thus gone (Tathā-gata) and one who has thus come (Tathā-āgata). Others assert that the name means one who has found the truth. It is the name the historical Buddha used when referring to himself while he was · Birthday Buddha's Birthday , the birthday of the Prince Siddhartha Gautama traditionally celebrated in East Asia on the eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, is an official holiday in Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea. The date varies from year to year in the Western (Gregorian) calendar: · Four sights The four sights were specific observations made by Prince Siddhārtha , which lead to a realization. Before this, he had been confined to his palace by his father, who feared that he would become an ascetic if he came into contact with sufferings of life according to a prediction. However, on his first venture out of the palace with his charioteer · Physical characteristics Although Gautama Buddha was not represented in artistic form until around the 1st century CE, the physical characteristics of the Buddha are described in one of the central texts of the traditional Pali canon, the Digha Nikaya, in the "Discourse of the Marks" (D.32), and are also enumerated in the Brahmāyu Sutta of the Majjhima Nikāya ( · Footprint The footprint of the Buddha is an imprint of Gautama Buddha's one or both feet. It comes in two forms: natural, as found in stone or rock, and artificial engravement. Many of the "natural" ones, of course, are acknowledged not to be actual footprints of the Buddha, but replicas or representations of them, which can be considered relics · Iconography Gautama Buddha, the spiritual teacher from southern Asia known as The Buddha, who is the central figure in Buddhism, is represented in the arts of Thailand and Laos according to an iconography with specific rules. In other Buddhist countries, different but related iconographies are used, for example the mudras in Indian art · Films The first known film about the life of Buddha was Buddhadev which was produced by the well-known Indian filmer Dadasaheb Phalke (1870-1944) in 1923. Two years later, another important Buddha film was released, The Light of Asia (Hindi title: Prem Sanyas). This movie was made by the German filmmaker Franz Osten (1875-1956). Himansu Rai (1892-1940) · Miracles · Family The Buddha was born into a family of the kshatriya varna in what is now Nepal, around 560 BCE. His father was King Suddhodana, Leader of the Sakya clan in what was the growing state of Kosala, and his mother was Queen Maya. He was raised by his mother's younger sister Maha Pajapati after his mother's death seven days after childbirth: (Suddhodana (father) King Suddhodana was the father of Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha. He was a leader of the Shakya people, who lived in southern Nepal. Suddhodana's father was Sinahana. The Sakyans were monogamous and believed that a man can only have one consort so when Suddhodana won a battle against his father, he asked permission to marry the two · Maya (mother) · Yasodhara (wife) Princess Yasodharā was the daughter of King Suppabuddha , and Pamitā, sister of the Buddha's father, King Suddhodana · Rahula (son)) · Places where the Buddha stayed · Buddha in world religions
Key Concepts Three Marks of Existence: (Impermanence · Suffering · Not-self) · Dependent Origination · Five Aggregates · Karma · Rebirth · Saṃsāra · Saṅkhāra · Defilements · Ignorance · Craving · Five Hindrances · Ten Fetters · Faculties · Enlightenment (Awakening) · Parinirvana · Thusness · Two truths doctrine · Emptiness · Bodhicitta · Bodhisattva · Buddha-nature · Mindstream · Dzogchen
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