覚りの瞬間に何が起こるか
What happens at the moment of enlightenment?
2023-06-21 23:24:08
What happens at the moment of enlightenment?
In fact, it happened to me, but it was different from what I had imagined beforehand.
Of course, it is obvious that the specific experiences may vary depending on the Buddha who attained enlightenment. However, upon reflecting on it now, there are some fundamental aspects that seem somewhat similar.
Let me start by stating the facts.
During that moment of enlightenment, there is no immediate awareness of having attained enlightenment. However, in my case, a few hours later, I indeed experienced the insight of having attained enlightenment without a doubt. In other words, there was a time lag in the awareness of enlightenment.
However, it has a possibility that this could be a special case as my enlightenment occurred after 1 a.m., during the night. Essentially, after my enlightenment with experiencing <a unique sense of enlightenment>, I went to sleep without realizing that I had attained enlightenment. The insight of enlightenment occurred the next morning after waking up.
I vividly remember waking up in the morning and, as soon as I opened my eyes, telling my wife, 'I think I've completely enlightened!' Then, I went to work, confidently announcing to my boss and several colleagues with whom I work closely that I had undoubtedly attained enlightenment and become a Buddha.
My wife didn't doubt my enlightenment. Among my colleagues at work, there were quite a few who seemed skeptical, but my immediate boss said, 'You seem different than before.' Sharp observation. He eventually rose to become the president/chairman of the company he was working for, indicating he had a keen eye for observing people's changes.
Anyway, that's the gist of my (= SRKW Buddha's) enlightenment moment.
I examined what descriptions there are in the scriptures regarding the moment of enlightenment. In the Lotus Sutra, Chapter Two on Expedient Means, the final passage reads:
'Without any more doubts, let joy arise in your heart, knowing for certain that you will indeed become a Buddha.'
Here, "great joy" can be inferred to mean a "special feeling." Also, "without doubt" means surpassing doubt. Indeed, at the moment of enlightenment, there is no doubt about the truth that Buddhas (incarnations: as momentary incarnations) occasionally appear in this world. This is because one has witnessed that very moment.
Moreover, surpassing doubt is a concept often preached by Shakyamuni Buddha.
Quotation: Buddha's Words, Sutta Nipata, translated by Hajime Nakamura, published by Iwanami-Bunko, ISBN 4-00-333011-0
1088 Toḍiya asked: "What liberation should one seek, who has ceased all desires, eradicated all delusions, and transcended all doubts?"
1089 The Master (Buddha) replied, "Toḍiya, for one who has ceased all desires, eradicated all delusions, and transcended all doubts, there is no other liberation."
Finish quoting.
In essence, at the moment of enlightenment, all doubts regarding the Buddhist path are eradicated (resolved from one's perspective). That is to say,
What I wanted to know about Buddhism, I have fully understood. I have learned the most important thing in this world, so I shall desire nothing more. I will cease any further exploration of other matters. Just knowing what I have learned in this moment makes my life profoundly meaningful. For the rest of my life, I will live by this alone as my guiding principle (pillar of strength).
With firm determination, so be it.
And thus, after a slight delay, the realization of liberation arose.
What occurred in that moment of awakening was different from what I had imagined, such as the joy of enlightenment, the self-awareness of enlightenment, or even the acquisition of supernatural abilities. Yet, I unmistakably knew that I had attained the bliss of Nirvana. And it was a state worthy of being called the ultimate joy.
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