Remembering My Child
Grieving the death of her only son, a mother unexpectedly finds awakening.
Enlightenment
Enlightenment, or awakening, in Buddhism is used to translate the Pali and Sanskrit term bodhi, which has its root in the meaning of to awaken and to know. It means direct insight into the fundamental truths of existence: the four noble truths, which are the truth of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path out of suffering, known as the eightfold path. Enlightenment, or awakening, is distinct from nirvana (Pali, nibbana), which is the extinguishing of suffering, as opposed to understanding the ultimate nature of reality.
Things as They Can Be
What happens in awakening
The Philosophy of No-Mind
Ineffable enlightenment experiences in the life and times of Ishida Baigan
Enlightenment Is Broadway
Stripping away the ritual and finding Zen at the checkout line
Translating Bodhi
A Theravada monk argues that “awakening” is the enlightened choice
In Defense of “Enlightenment”
“Awakening” has become the preferred English term for the Buddha’s attainment. But has something gotten lost in translation?
Enlightenment Rests on the Dream
The phenomena of lucid dreaming and false awakenings reveal the complexity of Buddhism’s “waking up” metaphor.
On Not Being Special
Only a lucky few attain enlightenment, but there is nothing special about them—or you.
TeachingsMagazine | Teachings, What's in a Word?
What’s in a Word? Nirvana
Our expert explains the etymology of nirvana.
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