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)

Acquired enlightenment

(Jpn.: shikaku)

See also: inherent enlightenment)

Original enlightenment

(Jpn.: hongaku)

1. A reference to the enlightenment Shakyamuni attained countless kalpas ago, as described in the "Life Span" (sixteenth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra.
2. Enlightenment or Buddhahood originally inherent in human life.

See: Life Span of the Thus Come One,  Inherent enlightenment

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

Consilience, or the unity of knowledge (literally a "jumping together" of knowledge), has its roots in the ancient Greek concept of an intrinsic orderliness that governs our cosmos, inherently comprehensible by logical process, a vision at odds with mystical views in many cultures that surrounded the Hellenes. The rational view was recovered during the high Middle Ages, separated from theology during the Renaissance and found its apogee in the Age of Enlightenment. Then, with the rise of the modern sciences, the sense of unity gradual ...

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Social Darwinism - Darwinism and theories of social change. Theories of social evolution and cultural evolution are common in European thought. The Enlightenment thinkers who preceded Darwin, such as Hegel, often argued that societies progressed through stages of increasing development. Earlier thinkers also emphasized conflict as an inherent feature of social life. Thomas Hobbes's 17th century portrayal of the state of nature seems analogous to the competition for natural resources described by Darwin. Social Da ...

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Social Darwinism, Social Darwinism - History, Social Darwinism - Darwinism and theories of social change, Social Darwinism - Theorists and sources of Social Darwinism, Social Darwinism - Influence of Social Darwinists, Social Darwinism - Europe, Social Darwinism - United States, Social Darwinism - Criticisms and controversies, Social Darwinism - Modern legacy

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The benevolent dictator is a more modern version of the classical "enlightened despot," being an absolute ruler who exercises his or her political power for the benefit of the people rather than exclusively for his or her own benefit. Like many political classifications, this term suffers from its inherent subjectivity. Such leaders as Franco, Rosas, Rojas Pinilla, Sadat, Tito, and Omar Torrijos have been charac ...

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Dictator, Dictator - Classical Rome, Dictator - Modern use in formal titles, Dictator - Dictator plain, Dictator - Compound titles, Dictator - Pejorative use, Dictator - The benevolent dictator, Dictator - Dictators in game theory

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Fundamental nature of enlightenment

(Jpn.: gampon-no-hossho)

Enlightenment to the fundamental nature of all things and phenomena. It is contrasted with fundamental darkness. Also, the Buddha nature that is inherent in life.

(See also: Fundamental nature of enlightenment, Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Social Darwinism - Darwinism and theories of social change. Theories of social evolution and cultural evolution are common in European thought. The Enlightenment thinkers who preceded Darwin often speculated that societies progressed through stages of increasing development. Earlier thinkers also emphasized conflict as an inherent feature of social life. Thomas Hobbes's 17th century portrayal of the state of nature seems analogous to the competition for natural resources described by Darwin. Social Darwinism is d ...

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Social Darwinism, Social Darwinism - History, Social Darwinism - Darwinism and theories of social change, Social Darwinism - Theorists and sources of Social Darwinism, Social Darwinism - Influence of Social Darwinists, Social Darwinism - Europe, Social Darwinism - United States, Social Darwinism - Criticisms and controversies, Social Darwinism - Modern legacy, Social Darwinism - Notes

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Wealth - Global wealth. Michel Foucault commented that the concept of Man as an aggregate did not exist before the 18th century. The shift from the analysis of an individual's wealth to the concept of an aggregation of all men is implied in the concepts of political economy and then economics. This transition took place as a result of a cultural bias inherent in the Enlightenment. Wealth was seen as an objective fact of living as a human being in a society. ...

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Wealth, Wealth - Wealth and poverty, Wealth - The anthropological view of wealth, Wealth - A rudimentary notion of wealth, Wealth - The interpersonal concept of wealth, Wealth - Wealth as the accumulation of non-necessities, Wealth - Wealth as control of arable land, Wealth - The capitalist notion of wealth, Wealth - Other concepts of wealth, Wealth - Global wealth, Wealth - Not a zero-sum game, Wealth - The non-normative concept of wealth, Wealth - Non financial wealth, Wealth - Wealth as time, Wealth - Sustainable Wealth, Wealth - Wealth Redefined Individualistically, Wealth - The creation of wealth, Wealth - The limits to wealth creation, Wealth - The distribution of wealth, Wealth - Wealth in the form of land, Wealth - Books

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According to Marxists (most notably Friedrich Engels), socialist models and ideas are said to be traceable to the dawn of human social history, being an inherent feature of human nature and early human social models. During the Enlightenment in the 18th century, revolutionary thinkers and writers such as the Marquis de Condorcet, Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, abbé de Mably, and Morelly provided the intellectual and ideological expression of the discontented social layers in French society. This included even the bourgeoisie, at that time kept out of political power by the ancien régime, but also ...

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Socialism, Socialism - An ideology or a group of ideologies, Socialism - Branches of socialism, Socialism - Other ideologies including the word socialism, Socialism - A note on usage, Socialism - What distinguishes the various types of socialism, Socialism - An economic system, Socialism - A state that exists or has existed or may exist, Socialism - Socialism as transition from capitalism, Socialism - Socialism and the mixed economy, Socialism - Opposition and criticisms of socialism; arguments for and against, Socialism - References and further reading

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Social Darwinism - Darwinism and theories of social change. Theories of social evolution and cultural evolution are common in European thought. The Enlightenment thinkers who preceded Darwin often speculated that societies progressed through stages of increasing development. Earlier thinkers also emphasized conflict as an inherent feature of social life. Thomas Hobbes's 17th century portrayal of the state of nature seems analogous to the competition for natural resources described by Darwin. Social Darwinism is d ...

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Social Darwinism, Social Darwinism - History, Social Darwinism - Darwinism and theories of social change, Social Darwinism - Theorists and sources of Social Darwinism, Social Darwinism - Influence of Social Darwinists, Social Darwinism - Europe, Social Darwinism - United States, Social Darwinism - Criticisms and controversies, Social Darwinism - Modern legacy, Social Darwinism - Scholarly Secondary Sources, Social Darwinism - Primary Sources

Read more here: » Social Darwinism: Encyclopedia II - Social Darwinism - History

According to Marxists (most notably Friedrich Engels), socialist models and ideas are said to be traceable to the dawn of human social history, being an inherent feature of human nature and early human social models. During the Enlightenment in the 18th century, revolutionary thinkers and writers such as the Marquis de Condorcet, Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, abbé de Mably, and Morelly provided the intellectual and ideological expression of the discontented social layers in French society. This included not only the bourgeoisie, at that time kept out of political power by the ancien régime, but also ...

See also:

Socialism, Socialism - An ideology or a group of ideologies, Socialism - Branches of socialism, Socialism - Other ideologies including the word socialism, Socialism - A note on usage, Socialism - What distinguishes the various types of socialism, Socialism - An economic system, Socialism - A state that exists or has existed or may exist, Socialism - Socialism as transition from capitalism, Socialism - Socialism and the mixed economy, Socialism - Opposition and criticisms of socialism; arguments for and against, Socialism - References and further reading

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Antecedants to the controversy can be seen in the challenges made by various religious people and organizations to the legitimacy of certain scientific ideas since the Age of Enlightenment (see Galileo and his advocacy of "natural philosophy" in relation to the Inquisition of the Roman Catholic Church). The Creation-Evolution controversy itself originated in Europe and North America in the late 18th century, when geological discoveries indicated that the earth is much older than was suggested by the Judeo-Christian Bible. It entered the popu ...

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Creation-evolution controversy, Creation-evolution controversy - Overview of the controversy, Creation-evolution controversy - Common venues for debate, Creation-evolution controversy - Conflicts inherent to the controversy, Creation-evolution controversy - Defining evolution, Creation-evolution controversy - False dichotomy, Creation-evolution controversy - Conflation of science and religion, Creation-evolution controversy - Accusations involving science, Creation-evolution controversy - Theory vs. Fact, Creation-evolution controversy - Evidence against evolution, Creation-evolution controversy - Accusations of bias, Creation-evolution controversy - Religion and Historical Scientists, Creation-evolution controversy - Quote mining, Creation-evolution controversy - Noteworthy participants in the controversy, Creation-evolution controversy - Creationists, Creation-evolution controversy - Their opposition, Creation-evolution controversy - Ramifications of the controversy, Creation-evolution controversy - Public education in the United States, Creation-evolution controversy - Surveys of views in the United States, Creation-evolution controversy - Survey of views in German speaking countries, Creation-evolution controversy - Controversy in education world-wide, Creation-evolution controversy - History, Creation-evolution controversy - Footnotes

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The kind of anarchism that is most easily encountered in popular culture is represented by celebrities who publicly identify themselves as anarchists. Although some anarchists reject any focus on such famous living individuals as inherently élitist, the following figures are examples of prominent publicly self-avowed anarchists: the MIT professor of Linguistics Noam Chomsky the science fiction author Ursula K. Le Guin the social historian Howard Zinn entertainer and author Hans Alfredsson ...

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Anarchism, Anarchism - Precursors of anarchism, Anarchism - Primitive cultures, Anarchism - Philosophical traces, Anarchism - Ancient Greece, Anarchism - Anabaptists and Diggers, Anarchism - Age of Enlightenment, Anarchism - History of anarchism, Anarchism - Chart of influences, Anarchism - Justice against the state, Anarchism - The first self-labelled anarchist, Anarchism - Egoism, Anarchism - Individualist anarchism Liberal anarchism, Anarchism - The International, Anarchism - Anarchist Communism, Anarchism - Propaganda by the deed, Anarchism - Anarchism at work, Anarchism - The Russian Revolution, Anarchism - The fight against fascism and the Spanish Civil War, Anarchism - Religion, Anarchism - Anarchism and feminism, Anarchism - Contemporary anarchism, Anarchism - Anarcho-capitalism, Anarchism - Anarcho-syndicalism, Anarchism - The platformist tradition, Anarchism - Post-left anarchy, Anarchism - Post-structuralism, Anarchism - Insurrectionary anarchism, Anarchism - Small 'a' anarchism, Anarchism - Anarcho-primitivism, Anarchism - Issues, Anarchism - Conceptions of an anarchist society, Anarchism - Environmentalism, Anarchism - Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression, Anarchism - Neo-imperialism and Globalization, Anarchism - Parallel structures, Anarchism - Technology, Anarchism - Pacifism, Anarchism - Parliamentarianism, Anarchism - Cultural phenomena, Anarchism - Historical events, Anarchism - Books, Anarchism - Anarchism by region/culture

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Buddha-mind: The mind of one who has been awakened to the desire for enlightenment. This is the intent behind the act of releasing Buddha-nature. It is also the inherent wisdom and enlightenment that exists in all sentient beings.

 (See also: Buddha-mind, Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Inclusion of Buddhahood in the nine worlds

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

The principle that the world of Buddhahood is inherent in the nine worlds. That is, all beings of the nine worlds possess the potential for Buddhahood (i.e., the Buddha nature). The nine worlds refer to the realms of hell, hungry spirits, animals, asuras, human beings, heavenly beings, voice-hearers, cause-awakened ones, and bodhisattvas. These realms also signify inherent conditions or states of life that beings manifest at any given moment. The nine worlds are contrasted with the world of Buddhahood in that they are realms or states of illusion and suffering, while Buddha-hood is a state of enlightenment free from illusion and suffering.

The principle of Buddhahood as a potential within the nine worlds means that the beings of the nine worlds, i.e., those who are deluded, inherently possess the state of Buddhahood and can manifest Buddhahood from within their lives. This concept is derived from the Lotus Sutra, particularly the "Expedient Means" (second) chapter. Together with the inclusion of the nine worlds within Buddhahood, it explains T'ien-t'ai's concept of the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds. The chapter reads, "The Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, wish to open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings." Nichiren says, "This refers to the world of Buddhahood inherent in the nine worlds". That is, Buddhahood is inherent in all living beings.

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

Seed of Buddhahood

(Jpn.: busshu)

The cause for attaining Buddhahood. The Buddha nature inherent in ordinary people, or the innate potential to become a Buddha; also the Buddha's teaching, which clarifies and enables people to realize their Buddha nature.

Bodhisattva practice, the practice required of a bodhisattva, is also regarded as the seed of Buddhahood. One ensures the cause for realizing enlightenment by receiving the Buddha's teaching, the seed of Buddhahood. Based on the Lotus Sutra, T'ien-t'ai (538-597) interpreted the seed of Buddhahood as the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, and Nichiren (1222-1282) defined it as the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

See: Sowing maturing and harvesting

(See also: Seed of Buddhahood, Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Fundamental darkness

(Jpn.: gampon-no-mumyo)

Also, fundamental ignorance or primal ignorance. The most deeply rooted illusion inherent in life, said to give rise to all other illusions. Darkness in this sense means inability to see or recognize the truth, particularly, the true nature of one's life.

The term fundamental darkness is contrasted with the fundamental nature of enlightenment, which is the Buddha nature inherent in life.

According to the Shrimala Sutra, fundamental darkness is the most difficult illusion to surmount and can be eradicated only by the wisdom of the Buddha. T'ien-t'ai (538-597) interprets darkness as illusion that prevents one from realizing the truth of the Middle Way, and divides such illusion into forty-two types, the last of which is fundamental darkness. This illusion is only extirpated when one attains the stage of perfect enlightenment, the last of the fifty-two stages of bodhisattva practice.

Nichiren (1222-1282) interprets fundamental darkness as ignorance of the ultimate Law, or ignorance of the fact that one's life is essentially a manifestation of that Law, which he identifies as Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. In The Treatment of Illness, Nichiren states: "The heart of the Lotus school is the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, which reveals that both good and evil are inherent even in those at the highest stage of perfect enlightenment.

The fundamental nature of enlightenment manifests itself as Brahma and Shakra, whereas the fundamental darkness manifests itself as the devil king of the sixth heaven". Nichiren thus regards fundamental darkness as latent even in the enlightened life of the Buddha, and the devil king of the sixth heaven as a manifestation or personification of life's fundamental darkness. The Record of the Orally Transmitted Teachings reads, "Belief is a sharp sword that cuts off fundamental darkness or ignorance."

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

Expedient Means chapter

(Jpn.: Hoben-bon)

The second chapter of the Lotus Sutra, in which Shakyamuni Buddha reveals that the purpose of a Buddha's advent in the world is to lead all people to enlightenment. Shakyamuni shows that all people have the potential for Buddhahood, namely, that Buddhahood is not separate from ordinary people but is inherent in their lives.

This principal chapter of the theoretical teaching (first half of the Lotus Sutra), together with the "Life Span" (sixteenth) chapter of the essential teaching (latter half ), constitutes one of the two pivotal chapters of the entire sutra. At the beginning of this chapter, Shakyamuni arises from the deep meditation he had entered in the Immeasurable Meanings Sutra, the prologue to the Lotus Sutra, and addresses Shariputra, declaring that the wisdom of the Buddhas is infinitely profound and immeasurable, far beyond the comprehension of voice-hearers and cause-awakened ones. Only Buddhas, he says, can realize the true aspect of all phenomena, which consists of appearance, nature, entity, power, influence, internal cause, relation, latent effect, manifest effect, and consistency from beginning to end.

This revelation that all living beings of the Ten Worlds are innately endowed with and can manifest the true aspect identified as "the ten factors of life" establishes a theoretical basis for the subsequent assertion that all people have the potential to attain Buddhahood. Based on this passage, T'ien-t'ai (538-597) established the principle of three thousand realms in a single moment of life.

Shakyamuni then reveals that the Buddhas make their advent for "one great reason": to enable all people to attain the same enlightenment as themselves. According to the chapter, their purpose is "to open the door of Buddha wisdom to all living beings, to show the Buddha wisdom to living beings, to cause living beings to awaken to the Buddha wisdom, and induce living beings to enter the path of Buddha wisdom." Shakyamuni goes on to state that the three vehicles, or the teachings for voicehearers, cause-awakened ones, and bodhisattvas, are not ends in themselves, but are expedient means by which he leads people to the one Buddha vehicle. This concept is referred to as "the replacement of the three vehicles with the one vehicle."

(See also: Expedient Means chapter, Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

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)