Inclusion of the nine worlds in Buddhahood

(Jpn.: bukkai-soku-kukai or bukkai-shogu-no-kukai)

The principle that the nine worlds are inherent in Buddhahood. That is, the world of Buddhahood possesses the nine worlds, i.e., the world of hell, the world of hungry spirits, the world of animals, the world of asuras, the world of human beings, the world of heavenly beings, the world of voice-hearers, the world of cause-awakened ones, and the world of bodhisattvas. The nine worlds indicate realms or states of life that are tainted by illusions and suffering.

According to this principle, a Buddha does not eradicate the nine worlds even after attaining enlightenment, but retains and uses them to save the people. In other words, even when one has attained Buddhahood, the nine worlds continue to exist in one's life, as does the potential for suffering and illusions. This principle is derived from the Lotus Sutra, particularly the "Life Span" (sixteenth) chapter, and with the inclusion of Buddhahood in the nine worlds explains T'ien-t'ai's concept of the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds.

The "Life Span" chapter reads: "The scriptures expounded by the Thus Come One are all for the purpose of saving and emancipating living beings. Sometimes I speak of myself, sometimes of others; sometimes I present myself, sometimes others; sometimes I show my own actions, sometimes those of others. All that I preach is true and not false." T'ien-t'ai (538-597) interprets "myself " in the quotation as the Buddha's Dharma body and "others" as his manifested body. He says that, when the Buddha teaches directly from the standpoint of his enlightenment, he speaks of "myself " (Buddhahood), and when he teaches in accord with the people's capacity, he speaks of "others" (the nine worlds).

(See also: Inclusion of the nine worlds in Buddhahood , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Awakening of Faith

(Jpn.: Kishin-ron)

See: Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana, The

(See also: Awakening of Faith , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Fifty-two stages of bodhisattva practice

(Jpn.: gojuni-i)

Also, fifty-two stages of practice. The stages through which bodhisattvas advance from the time of their initial resolve until they finally attain Buddhahood. The fifty-two stages are enumerated in the Jeweled Necklace Sutra and consist of ten stages of faith, ten stages of security, ten stages of practice, ten stages of devotion, ten stages of development, the stage of near-perfect enlightenment, and the stage of perfect enlightenment. The Brahma Net Sutra divides bodhisattva practice into forty stages. The Benevolent Kings Sutra divides it into fifty-one stages, and there is an explanation elsewhere that sets forth forty-one stages.

(See also: Fifty-two stages of bodhisattva practice , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Attainment of Buddhahood by evil persons

(Jpn.: akunin jobutsu)

See: attainment of Buddhahood

(See also: Attainment of Buddhahood by evil persons , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Enlightenment

(Jpn.: satori)

See also: attainment of Buddhahood

(See also: Enlightenment , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Attaining Buddhahood in one's present form

(Jpn.: soku-shin-jobutsu)

See: attainment of Buddhahood

(See also: Attaining Buddhahood in one's present form , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Planting the seeds of Buddhahood

(Jpn.: geshu)

Also, sowing the seeds of Buddhahood. One of the three benefits described in T'ien-t'ai's teachings: the benefits of sowing, maturing, and reaping the seeds of Buddhahood. The process of attaining Buddhahood is compared to that of cultivating plants. In this regard, Nichiren (1222-1282) states, "The Lotus Sutra is like the seed, the Buddha like the sower, and the people like the field". In teaching people, the Buddha begins by sowing the seeds of Buddhahood in their lives. The phase of sowing is divided into two stages: First, the Buddha causes the people to hear his teaching, and second, he leads them to take faith in it. These are termed respectively "sowing the seeds by letting one hear the teaching" (Jpn mompogeshu ) and "sowing the seeds by leading one to arouse faith in the teaching" (hosshin-geshu).

There are cases in which a person takes faith immediately upon hearing the teaching. There are also cases in which someone hears the teaching and later takes faith. In either case, the Buddha's teaching has the power to influence one's life, whether or not one takes faith in it immediately. In The Annotations on "The Words and Phrases of the Lotus Sutra," Miao-lo (711-782) states: "Whether one accepts or rejects the teaching, it enters one's ears and one thus establishes a bond with it. And then, though one may comply with or go against it, in the end one will be able to achieve liberation because of this bond." "Sowing the seeds by letting one hear the teaching" in this sense means that simply by hearing the Law one forms the cause, or seed, for attaining Buddhahood eventually, even if one should reject it initially.

See: Sowing maturing and harvesting

(See also: Planting the seeds of Buddhahood , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Teacher of the true cause

(Jpn.: honnin-myo-no-kyoshu)

In Nichiren's teachings, the Buddha who expounds the fundamental Law, or the true cause, that enables all people to attain Buddhahood.

In the "Life Span" (sixteenth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni reveals the true effect, or the Buddhahood that he attained numberless major world system dust particle kalpas ago. He does not, however, fully clarify the true cause of, i.e., the practice that led to, his enlightenment. Hence, he is called the teacher of the true effect. In contrast, Nichiren taught that Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the Law implicit in the "Life Span" chapter and is the cause of enlightenment for all people. Because he clarified the true cause for attaining Buddhahood, he is called the teacher of the true cause, and his Buddhism, the Buddhism of the true cause, or the Buddhism of sowing that implants the seeds of enlightenment in the lives of those who practice it.

(See also: Teacher of the true cause , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Enlightenment:

The stage of realization of the one Universal Spirit bubbling in all sentient and insentient forms; union of the individual mind with the Universal Mind.

(See also: Enlightenment , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Stage of ultimate enlightenment

(Jpn.: kukyo-soku)

The sixth of the six stages of practice.

See: six stages of practice

(See also: Stage of ultimate enlightenment , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

ENLIGHTENMENT (bodhi, Sanskrit) -

1. universal consciousness;; traditionally compared to a mind full of light like the moon in a cloudless sky or a mirror without any dust on it.

2. awareness that you are a manifestation of one Infinity, always moving according to yin and yang and the Order of the Universe. (Michi Kushi)

3. seeing not an alienated world to be gotten out of but a realized world in which we know that all plays a part. (Gary Snyder)

4. enlightenment experiences are described as; aha experience, awareness, born-again, conversion, cosmic-consciousness, convictional event, deep knowing, divine intervention. Eureka, felt shift, flash point, gestalt formation, getting it, gift of the guru, gnosis, grace, greater reality, illumination, inner feeling, inner voice, insight, awareness, left-right brain shift, miracle, moment of clarity, moment of truth, mystical experience, peak experience, quantum leap, religious experience, satari, spiritual awakening, sudden decision, surrender, transformation, turning point

(See also: ENLIGHTENMENT , Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Acquired enlightenment

(Jpn.: shikaku)

See also: inherent enlightenment

(See also: Acquired enlightenment , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

path: Marga or pantha. A trail, road or way. In Hinduism there are various ways that the term path is used.

-       path of enlightenment salvation moksha: The way to the ultimate goals of Self Realization and liberation.

-       universal path: The spiritual path conceived as being followed by all of existence, marching on its way to Godhood.

-       path of dharma: Following principles of good conduct and virtue.

-       the two paths: The way of the monk and that of the householder, a choice to be made by each Hindu young man.

-       Peerless highest path: The spiritual path (or the path of renunciation) as the noblest of human undertakings.

-       the straight path: The way that goes directly to the goal, without distraction or karmic detour.

-       on the path: someone who is seriously studying, striving and performing sadhana to perfect the inner and outer nature.

-       our right path in life: The best way for us personally to proceed; personal dharma, svadharma. -

-       "Truth is one, paths are many:" Hinduism's affirmation for tolerance. It accepts that there are various ways to proceed toward the ultimate goal.

See: dharma, pada.

(See also: Path , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Enlightenment: A state in which one is aware of one's true nature. This is not necessarily a state of complete awareness, which would be nirvana.

 (See also: Enlightenment , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Awakening vs. Enlightenment

A clear distinction should be made between awakening to the Way (Great Awakening) and attaining the Way (attaining Enlightenment). (Note: There are many degrees of Awakening and Enlightenment. Attaining the Enlightenment of the Arhats, Pratyeka Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, etc. is different from attaining Supreme Enlightenment, i.e., Buddhahood.)

To experience a Great Awakening is to achieve (through Zen meditation, Buddha Recitation, etc.) a complete and deep realization of what it means to be a Buddha and how to reach Buddhahood.

It is to see one's Nature, comprehend the True Nature of things, the Truth. However, only after becoming a Buddha can one be said to have truly attained Supreme Enlightenment (attained the Way).

A metaphor appearing in the sutras is that of a glass of water containing sediments. As long as the glass is undisturbed, the sediments remain at the bottom and the water is clear. However, as soon as the glass is shaken, the water becomes turbid. Likewise, when a practitioner experiences a Great Awakening (awakens to the Way), his afflictions (greed, anger and delusion) are temporarily suppressed but not yet eliminated.

To achieve Supreme Enlightenment (i.e., to be rid of all afflictions, to discard all sediments) is the ultimate goal. Only then can he completely trust his mind and actions. Before then, he should adhere to the precepts, keep a close watch on his mind and thoughts, like a cat stalking a mouse, ready to pounce on evil thoughts as soon as they arise.

To do otherwise is to court certain failure, as stories upon stories of errant monks, roshis and gurus demonstrate.

 (See also: Awakening vs. Enlightenment , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Land of Enlightened and Unenlightened Beings

(Jpn.: bonsho-dogo-do)

Also, Land of Sages and Common Mortals. Here ordinary people of the six paths live together with the sages of the four noble worlds.

See: Land of Sages and Common Mortals

(See also: Land of Enlightened and Unenlightened Beings , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Self-awakened one

(Jpn.: dokkaku)

See: cause-awakened one

(See also: Self-awakened one , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Stage of resemblance to enlightenment

(Jpn.: soji-soku)

The fourth of the six stages of practice.

See: six stages of practice

(See also: Stage of resemblance to enlightenment , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Prophecy of Enlightenment for Five Hundred Disciples chapter

(Jpn.: Gohyaku-deshi-juki-hon)

Abbreviated as the "Five Hundred Disciples" chapter. The eighth chapter of the Lotus Sutra. At the beginning of the chapter, Purna rejoices at having understood the teaching of the one vehicle by hearing Shakyamuni tell, in the "Parable of the Phantom City" (seventh) chapter, of their relationship in the remote past when Shakyamuni was the sixteenth son of the Buddha Great Universal Wisdom Excellence. In this (eighth) chapter, Shakyamuni predicts that Purna will attain enlightenment in a future existence as a Buddha named Law Bright. Subsequently he prophesies that the twelve hundred arhat disciples in the assembly, including Kaundinya, will also attain Buddhahood. He first bestows this prophecy on five hundred arhats, and then on the remaining seven hundred. All twelve hundred, he says, will become Buddhas with the name Universal Brightness. To show their understanding of the one vehicle teaching, these five hundred arhats then relate the parable of the jewel in the robe.

(See also: Prophecy of Enlightenment for Five Hundred Disciples chapter , Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Enlightenment

See "Awakening vs. Enlightenment."

 (See also: Enlightenment , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Association for Research and Enlightenment

(A. R. E. ),Organization founded by famed psychic Edgar Cayce inVirginia Beach,VA.

(See also: Association for Research and Enlightenment , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Thirty-seven Limbs of Enlightenment

These are:

1. the four mindfulnesses;
2. the four right efforts;
3. the four bases of miraculous powers;
4. the five roots; e. the five powers;
5. the seven factors of enlightenment; and
6. the eightfold noble path

 (G.C.C. Chang).

 (See also: Thirty-seven Limbs of Enlightenment , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)