As with most periods, the individuals present within the Enlightenment were more aware of their differences than their similarities; within the period there were schools of thought, which saw themselves as widely divergent, even as later perspective has come to consider them similar. One key conflict is on the role of theology - during the previous period, there had been the splintering of the Catholic Church, not, as with previous schisms, largely along political control of the papacy, but along doctrinal lines between Catholic and P ...

See also:

Age of Enlightenment, Age of Enlightenment - Short history of Enlightenment philosophy, Age of Enlightenment - Key conflicts within Enlightenment-period philosophy, Age of Enlightenment - Role of the Enlightenment in later philosophy, Age of Enlightenment - Precursors of the Enlightenment, Age of Enlightenment - Important figures of the Enlightenment era, Age of Enlightenment - External references

Read more here: » Age of Enlightenment: Encyclopedia II - Age of Enlightenment - Key conflicts within Enlightenment-period philosophy

See also:

Age of Enlightenment, Age of Enlightenment - History of Enlightenment philosophy, Age of Enlightenment - Key conflicts within Enlightenment-period philosophy, Age of Enlightenment - Role of the Enlightenment in later philosophy, Age of Enlightenment - Precursors of the Enlightenment, Age of Enlightenment - Important figures of the Enlightenment era

Read more here: » Age of Enlightenment: Encyclopedia II - Age of Enlightenment - Key conflicts within Enlightenment-period philosophy

Inherent enlightenment

(Jpn.: hongaku)

Also, original enlightenment; or, depending on context, originally enlightened or eternally enlightened. Enlightenment, or Buddhahood, that is originally inherent in human life. Often used as an equivalent of the Buddha nature.

The concept of inherent or original enlightenment is contrasted with acquired enlightenment (shikaku), the view that enlightenment occurs as a result of carrying out Buddhist practice, dispelling illusions, and developing wisdom.

In the Tendai school of Japan, the doctrine of inherent or original enlightenment was taken to the extreme with the argument that ordinary people were already Buddhas even before engaging in Buddhist practice, and that the world as it is equals the world of enlightenment. Critics asserted that this view led to complacency in Buddhist practice.

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

Kriyas, literally ''activities'', are spontaneous movements that occur after kundalini awakening. These include bodily activities such as trembling, shaking and spontaneous yoga postures; vocal activities such as yelling, or spontaneous chanting and mental activities such as visions. These kriyas eliminate the blocks to kundalini rising within the spine or central channel.

This FAQ gives an overview of Siddha Mahayoga. Part I of III.

In Part III: 1) What are kriyas?, 2) So how do kriyas purify my consciousness?, 3) Are these kriyas some sort of self-hypnosis or some sort New Age phenomenon?, 4) Haven't a number of well-known teachers criticized kriyas?, 5) Don't they say that kundalini is a force that needs control?, What is the philosophy of siddha mahayoga?, 6) What is the precise role of the guru in siddha mahayoga?, 7) What teachers give shaktipat initiation?, 8) Where can I learn more?

Read more here: » Siddha Mahayoga FAQ: What are kriyas? (part III of III) -

This FAQ gives a background on the phenomenon of kundalini. Part I of III.

In Part I: 1) What is kundalini?, 2) What is the difference between prana and kundalini?, 3) What is the difference between qi (or chi) and kundalini?, 4) If kundalini is universal why do some kundalini yogins seem to have more kundalini-energy than others?, 5) What does kundalini have to do with spiritual enlightenment?, 6) What is the goal of kundalini yoga?, 7) Does everyone agree that kundalini awakening is necessary for enlightenment?

Read more here: » Kundalini FAQ: What is Kundalini? (part I of III) -

This FAQ gives a background on the phenomenon of kundalini. Part II of III.

In Part II: 1) Can I just use kundalini yoga simply to improve my health?, 2)

Is there any scientific basis for kundalini and the cakras?, 3) Do I really have to believe that all these cakras physically exist?, 4) Is Chinese qi gong a kind of kundalini yoga?, 5) What about Tibetan Buddhism - has kundalini been known in Tibet?, 6) Are there any other traditions that show awareness of kundalini?, 7)So how do I awaken kundalini?, 8) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using effort to awaken kundalini?

Read more here: » Kundalini FAQ: What is Kundalini? (part II of III) -

This FAQ gives an overview of those kundalini yoga practices which require conscious effort. Part I of III.

In Part I: 1) What is kundalini?, 2) What does kundalini have to do with spiritual enlightenment?, 3) So how do I awaken kundalini?, 4) How is kundalini awakened through mantra yoga? 5) How is kundalini awakened through hatha yoga, laya yoga and kriya yoga?

Read more here: » Kundalini Yoga FAQ: Kundalini Yogas FAQ (part I of III) -

This FAQ gives an overview of those kundalini yoga practices which require conscious effort. Part I of III.

In Part III: 1) But even if kundalini is dangerous, isn't it a faster way to enlighenment?, 2) What are the origins of kundalini yoga?, 3) What is the classical literature of kundalini yoga?, 4) What is the precise role of the guru in kundalini yoga?, 5) Can't I learn it through books?, 6) Where can I gain instruction on kundalini yoga?, 7) Where can I learn more?

Read more here: » Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini Yogas FAQ (part III of III)

This FAQ gives an overview of those kundalini yoga practices which require conscious effort. Part I of III.

In Part II: 1) What are the techniques to unite prana and apana?, 2) What are the techniques to unite rajas and retas?, 3) Are those really the only techniques to awaken kundalini?, 4) Are these forceful methods of awakening kundalini dangerous? What about Gopi Krishna's books?

Read more here: » Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini Yoga FAQ (part II of III) -

''Kundalini'' literally means coiling, like a snake. More meaningfully kundalini can be described as a great reservoir of creative energy at the base of the spine. Think of kundalini energy as the very foundation of our consciousness so when kundalini moves through the sushumna and through our cakras our consciousness necessarily changes with it.

This FAQ gives an overview of Siddha Mahayoga. Part I of III.

In Part I: 1) What is kundalini? 2) What does kundalini have to do with spiritual enlightenment? 3) What is the goal of kundalini yoga? 4) So how do I awaken kundalini?

Read more here: » Siddha Mahayoga FAQ: What is Kundalini? (part I of III)

''Shakti'' is another word for kundalini and ''pat'' means to descend. Shaktipat is a method by which an individual's kundalini is awakened by the direct intervention of a guru. Practially speaking shaktipat is known by its results: the awakening of of the student's kundalini.

This FAQ gives an overview of Siddha Mahayoga. Part I of III.

In Part II: 1) What is shaktipat?, 2) How does shaktipat work?, 3) Who can give shaktipat?, 4) Who can receive shaktipat?, 4) Are all shaktipat initiations the same?, 5) Can one receive shaktipat just by being in the presence of those with awakened shakti?, 6) So what happens after shaktipat?, 7) What is the practice of Siddha Mahayoga?

Read more here: » Siddha Mahayoga FAQ: What is shaktipat? (part I of III) -

This FAQ gives a background on the phenomenon of kundalini. Part III of III.

In Part II: 1) What are the signs of an awakened kundalini?, 2) Are these methods of awakening kundalini dangerous?, 3) What about Gopi Krishna's books?, 4) But even if kundalini is dangerous, isn't it a faster way to enlighenment?, 5) There have been many scandals among kundalini yoga teachers - particularly sexual scandals. Is there a correlation between sexual scandals and kundalini yoga practice?, 6) If my kundalini is awakened will I need to change my lifestyle? 7) Do I need to be celibate?, 8) Where can I learn more?

Read more here: » Kundalini FAQ: What is Kundalini? Signs of Awakened Kundalini (part III of III)

Buddha-nature (originally in Sanskrit, "Buddha-dhatu" - "Buddha Element", "Buddha-Principle") is a doctrine important for many schools of Mahayana Buddhism. The Buddha-nature ("Buddha-dhatu") is taught to be a truly real eternal potential or principle, present in all sentient beings, for awakening and becoming Enlightened. The Buddha-nature doctrine relates to the possession by sentient beings of the innate buddha-mind or buddha-element ("Buddha-dhatu"), which is, prior to the full attainment of buddhahood, not fully actualized, or at ...

Including:

• Buddha-nature - Development of Buddha-nature
• Buddha-nature - Buddha-nature vs. atman

Read more here: » Buddha-nature

Baha'i Perspective On Gender Divide

Nearly 121 million children around the world receive little or no schooling, and the majority of these children are girls. Why is the gender divide so deep? What is holding us back from pursuing a policy of enlightened self-interest?

The Baha'i international community has long recognised the importance of educating girls because as future mothers, they would be better equipped to encourage Generation X - of either gender - to go to school. Nearly 90 years ago, Abdu'l-Baha said: "The education of women is of greater importance than the education of men, for they are the mothers of the race, and mothers play an important role in rearing children. So, they must be capably trained in order to educate both sons and daughters".

Read more here: » Women Rights: Baha'i Perspective On Gender Divide

Buddhism: History of the Buddhist schools

Three months after the passing of Gautama Buddha, The First Council was held at Rajagaha by his immediate disciples who had attained Arahantship (Enlightenment). Maha Kassapa, the most respected and elderly monk, presided at the Council. Only two sections the Dhamma and the Vinaya were recited at the First Council. All Arahants unanimously agree that no disciplinary rule laid down by the Buddha should be changed, and no new ones should be introduced. At this point, no conflict about what the Buddha taught is known to have occurred, so the teachings were divided into various parts and each was assigned to an elder and his pupils to commit to memory. These groups of people often cross-checked with each other to ensure that no omissions or additions were made.

Read more here: » Buddhism: History of the Buddhist schools

The Rinzai school (臨済宗; Japanese: Rinzai-shū, Chinese: Linji-zong) is one of the two major Japanese Zen sects (the other major one being Sōtō). The Rinzai school is known for its emphasis on sudden enlightenment and the use of methods such as the koan to achieve this end. Rinzai is the Japanese branch of the Chinese Linji school, which was founded during the Tang Dynasty by Linji Yixuan. It was brought to Japan by Myōan Eisai in 1191. Rinzai school - Characteristics. Unlike th ...

Including:

• Rinzai school - Characteristics
• Rinzai school - Martial arts
• Rinzai school - Koan
• Rinzai school - Tea ceremony
• Rinzai school - Later developments

Read more here: » Rinzai school: Encyclopedia - Rinzai school

Ramtha is the name of a being that JZ Knight claims to channel. Knight asserts that Ramtha is a 35,000 year old spiritual being who was, according to Knight, "a Lemurian warrior who conquered the continent Atlantis and later became enlightened." Ramtha - Ramtha's teachings. Ramtha is the central figure of Ramtha's School of Enlightenment (RSE), a school started by JZ Knight. A central theme of Ramtha's teachings involve the internalization of deity (God is in Us, You are God, etc.). Ramtha is described as h ...

Including:

• Ramtha - Ramtha's teachings
• Ramtha - Controversy
• Ramtha - Court cases
• Ramtha - Skeptics
• Ramtha - Film
• Ramtha - Literature

Read more here: » Ramtha: Encyclopedia - Ramtha

Huineng (慧能, 638 - 713) was a Chinese Chan (Chinese Zen) monastic who is one of the most important figures in the entire tradition. Huineng is the Sixth Patriarch of Chinese Chan Buddhism. In Japanese he is known as Daikan Enō. He is said to have advocated an immediate and direct approach to Buddhist practice and enlightenment, and in this regard, is considered the founder of the "Sudden Enlightenment" (頓教) Southern Chan school of Buddhism. While these are the legendary accounts handed down by the traditi ...

Including:

• Huineng - Biography
• Huineng - Becoming the Sixth Patriarch

Read more here: » Huineng: Encyclopedia - Huineng

A Pratyeka Buddha (Sanskrit pratyekabuddha; Pali pacceka-buddha) is one of three types of enlightened beings according to some schools of Buddhism (the others being the śrāvakas and Samyaksam-Buddhas). They are said to achieve enlightenment on their own, without the use of teachers or guides, by contemplating the principle of dependent arising. They are said to arise only in ages where the Buddhist teachings, or dhamma, are lost, and many may arise at a single time. Unlike Supreme Buddhas (se ...

Read more here: » Pratyekabuddha: Encyclopedia - Pratyekabuddha

Karuna (originally a Pali word; also regarded as a Sanskrit word) is the Jainist concept of love. It is also translated as "compassion," a key concept of Mahayana Buddhism (see Bodhisattva and Avalokitesvara). As mercy, it is the special kindness shown to those who suffer. It is considered the indispensable complement to enlightened wisdom, Prajña. Compassion is important in all schools of Buddhism. Other related archivesAvalokitesvara, Bodhisattva, Buddhism, Jainist, Mahayana, Pali,

Read more here: » Karuna: Encyclopedia - Karuna