Throughout human history, countless seekers have embarked on a quest to uncover the ultimate truth of existence. Many grapple with the difference between intellectual understanding and true enlightenment. While understanding is a crucial part of learning and growth, it does not necessarily lead to transformation. Great Enlightenment, on the other hand, transcends mere knowledge and brings about profound liberation from ignorance and suffering. This article explores the essence of Great Enlightenment, its distinguishing features, and the different levels of awakening that exist.
The Essence of Great Enlightenment
In life, people often confuse “understanding” and “Great Enlightenment”. Understanding is an important step, but Great Enlightenment is the ultimate realization of the true nature of things. Both are related to perception, yet they differ greatly in depth.
Understanding vs. Great Enlightenment
Both involve cognition:
- Understanding and Great Enlightenment are processes of perceiving and analyzing reality.
- Both can change one’s perspective: When a person understands or becomes enlightened, their view of the world and themselves shifts.
- Both require wisdom: Without deep thought and inquiry, neither understanding nor Great Enlightenment can be attained.
Key Differences
| Criteria | Understanding | Great Enlightenment |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Intellectual comprehension through reasoning, analysis, and learning from external sources. | Deep inner realization, not only through reasoning but also through intuition and direct experience. |
| How it is attained | Learning from books, research, observation, and discussions with others. | Practicing meditation, deep contemplation, and firsthand experiences. |
| Level of perception | Partial grasp of the truth; may not lead to behavioral change. | Profound insight into the essence of reality, leading to a deep transformation of consciousness. |
| Sustainability | Can change over time when new information is acquired. | Stable and unwavering insight, free from doubt. |
Illustrative Example
Imagine someone gets hit by another person.
- If they understand, they may recognize that the attacker acted out of anger, driven by emotions.
- But if they have attained Great Enlightenment, they not only see that the attacker is consumed by anger but also realize that anger is a natural part of human nature. The attacker lacks the ability to control this instinct, which leads them to act this way. Therefore, a person with Great Enlightenment does not feel anger, resentment, or hatred. However, they still uphold righteousness and may take action to maintain justice, but without personal attachment to anger.
The Buddha’s Words on Great Enlightenment
The Buddha once said:
“If someone strikes you with a stick, do you get angry at the stick? No, because the stick is merely a tool. Then why be angry at the person wielding it, when they too are merely a tool of ignorance?”
This illustrates the difference between understanding and Great Enlightenment:
- A person who understands may recognize the cause but still struggles with emotions.
- A person who has attained Great Enlightenment not only sees the cause but also perceives the underlying mechanisms of the mind. As a result, they can let go of resentment and live with wisdom and compassion.
II. The Levels of Great Enlightenment
Enlightenment is not an instantaneous event but a gradual process, requiring dedication, self-awareness, and deep contemplation. Across spiritual traditions, various levels of enlightenment are recognized, each representing a deeper understanding of the self, the universe, and the divine. Here, we explore the fundamental stages of great enlightenment and their significance in the journey of self-realization.
1. Initial Awakening: The Spark of Awareness
The first stage of enlightenment is the realization that the material world is transient and that true fulfillment cannot be found in external possessions or fleeting pleasures. This stage is marked by a deep inner questioning: Who am I? What is the purpose of my existence? A seeker at this level begins to recognize the limitations of the ego and the necessity of self-discipline. The mind starts shifting from attachment to materialism toward a yearning for deeper truths.
2. The Purification of Mind and Heart
After the initial awakening, an individual embarks on the process of purification. This stage involves self-reflection, ethical living, and discipline in thoughts, words, and actions. Negative tendencies such as greed, anger, and ignorance must be consciously transformed. The practitioner learns to cultivate virtues like compassion, patience, humility, and wisdom. Many spiritual traditions emphasize meditation, prayer, and moral precepts as essential tools in this transformative phase.
3. Profound Insight: Seeing Beyond Illusions
At this stage, the seeker begins to see beyond the illusions of the physical world and perceives the interconnectedness of all beings. The realization dawns that suffering arises from attachment and ignorance, and liberation comes from wisdom and detachment. This level of enlightenment aligns with the teachings of the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths and other profound spiritual philosophies, highlighting that suffering can be transcended through right understanding and mindful living.
4. The Merging of the Self with the Universal Truth
As a practitioner deepens their insight, the separation between self and others begins to dissolve. The egoic self is no longer the center of perception; instead, the individual experiences a sense of oneness with all existence. The distinction between subject and object fades, and one begins to operate from a state of selfless compassion. At this stage, love and wisdom become guiding forces, and the enlightened individual naturally serves others without seeking personal gain.
5. Supreme Enlightenment: Attaining Ultimate Liberation
The highest stage of enlightenment is the complete realization of truth beyond duality. The enlightened being transcends all forms of suffering, illusions, and separations. In this state, the mind is completely free, and wisdom flows effortlessly. Compassionate action arises spontaneously, not from personal desire but from an intrinsic understanding of the universe’s natural order. This level is known in Buddhist traditions as Buddhahood or Nirvana, in Hinduism as Moksha, and in Caodaism as returning to the Divine Essence.
The Path Toward Enlightenment
Though these levels of enlightenment appear sequential, the journey is not strictly linear. Some may experience glimpses of profound wisdom before refining their ethical conduct, while others may spend years in purification before attaining insight. The key is perseverance, self-inquiry, and unwavering dedication to truth.
Each step along the path of enlightenment brings greater clarity, inner peace, and an ever-expanding love for all beings. The ultimate goal is not merely personal liberation but the uplifting of all sentient beings toward the realization of their divine nature. By understanding these levels, seekers can navigate their spiritual journey with patience, humility, and a heart filled with compassion.
III. Saints and Buddhas
Enlightenment is not a fixed state; it exists at different levels. A person may attain a certain degree of enlightenment and become a Saint, while a Buddha is one who has achieved complete and perfect enlightenment.
Similarities
- Both attain enlightenment: Both a Saint and a Buddha have realized a part or the entirety of the universal truth, no longer being controlled by ignorance like ordinary beings.
- Both possess wisdom and high moral virtue: A Saint and a Buddha both undergo arduous cultivation to reach a state of extraordinary wisdom.
- Both can guide sentient beings: After attaining enlightenment, both have the ability to teach and lead people toward an ethical and spiritual path.
Key Differences Between Saints and Buddhas
| Criteria | Enlightenment of a Saint | Enlightenment of a Buddha |
|---|---|---|
| Level of Enlightenment | Partial enlightenment, possibly in morality, spirituality, or a specific domain. | Complete enlightenment—understanding the true nature of the universe, reincarnation, karma, birth and death, and Nirvana. |
| Spiritual Magnitude | A Saint may attain a very high level of virtue but still has limitations compared to a Buddha. | A Buddha has transcended all limitations, attaining complete selflessness and absolute liberation. |
| Ego and Mental Afflictions | A Saint may still retain a certain level of ego or subtle afflictions. | A Buddha has entirely eradicated the ego and all mental afflictions, attaining a completely pure mind. |
| Rebirth | Some Saints may still undergo reincarnation if they have not yet attained absolute liberation. | A Buddha, after entering Nirvana, no longer undergoes rebirth in the same manner as ordinary beings. |
| Mission of Salvation | A Saint may guide people within a specific religious or traditional framework. | A Buddha can liberate all sentient beings, unrestricted by any religious or belief system. |
Examples of Saints and Buddhas
- Saints: Jesus Christ, Confucius, Laozi, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva (before attaining Buddhahood), and Saints in Caodaism.
- Buddhas: Shakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Medicine Buddha, Maitreya Buddha (upon full enlightenment).
Thus, the enlightenment of a Saint is a deep realization of moral and spiritual truths, but it is not as complete as that of a Buddha. The enlightenment of a Buddha is absolute and comprehensive, free from all ignorance, achieving ultimate liberation.
A Saint is on the path to full enlightenment, while a Buddha has reached the ultimate state of liberation.
