顿悟
Sudden Enlightenment
Zen Buddhism · conceptThe Chan/Zen doctrine that awakening is not a gradual accumulation but can occur in a single moment of direct insight. Associated with the Southern School of Huineng. Associated with Huineng (638-713 CE) and the Southern School of Chan, this doctrine holds that awakening can occur in an instant, though practice prepares the ground for the breakthrough.
What Are the Key Facts About Sudden Enlightenment?
- Tradition: Zen Buddhism
- Chinese: 顿悟
- Category: Concept
- Definition: The Chan/Zen doctrine that awakening is not a gradual accumulation but can occur in a single moment of direct insight.
What Concepts Are Related to Sudden Enlightenment?
Koan 公案What Other Guides Cover Zen Buddhism?
Frequently Asked Questions About Sudden Enlightenment
What is sudden enlightenment in Zen?
Sudden enlightenment (Ch. dunwu, J. satori) is the Zen claim that awakening can occur all at once, in a breakthrough beyond gradual accumulation of merit or study.
Sudden vs. gradual — what is the difference?
The 'sudden vs. gradual' debate (notably Huineng vs. Shenxiu, and later in Korea/Japan) asks whether awakening is instantaneous or stepwise; Zen (especially the Southern school) favors sudden.
What is satori?
Satori is the Japanese term for Zen awakening — a direct, intuitive grasp of one's Buddha-nature, often triggered by a koan or a teacher's shout or strike.
Does sudden mean no practice?
Not for most teachers: sitting (zazen) and koan work prepare the ground; the 'sudden' moment is the fruit of that undefended effort.