Significance of Spiritual enlightenment
Spiritual enlightenment, as described across various philosophical and religious traditions, signifies a profound understanding and awareness of one's self and existence. In Buddhism, it involves achieving wisdom through practice, while Jainism emphasizes overcoming ignorance to attain higher consciousness. Vaishnavism highlights the divine connection and liberation through devotion. Similarly, texts like the Purana and Kavya stress understanding and communion with the divine. Ultimately, spiritual enlightenment serves as a transformative goal, guiding practitioners towards deeper truths and liberation from worldly attachments.
Synonyms: Spiritual awakening, Spiritual insight, Spiritual realization, Spiritual illumination, Transcendence, Self-discovery, Inner peace, Awakening, Illumination, Self-realization, Nirvana, Salvation, Satori, Higher consciousness, Divine consciousness, Spiritual awakening.
In Dutch: Spirituele verlichting; In Finnish: Henkinen valaistuminen; In Spanish: Iluminación espiritual
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Spiritual enlightenment'
Spiritual enlightenment in Buddhism embodies the pursuit of profound wisdom, a crucial understanding of one's spiritual journey, and the realization of fundamental truths, ultimately freeing individuals from the cycle of suffering through practices like vipassana.
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) The process of understanding and experiencing deep truths about existence, often a goal of spiritual practice.[1]
From: Karandavyuha Sutra
(1) The ultimate understanding and realization of fundamental truths in Buddhism, linked to the concepts of Prajna.[2]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks’ rules)
(1) A state of understanding and wisdom in relation to one's spiritual journey, indicating the quality of practitioners in the Order.[3]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) The ultimate understanding and realization achieved through practices like vipassana, leading to freedom from cycle of suffering.[4]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) The pursuit of profound understanding and wisdom in Buddhist practice, which Punna worked hard to achieve.[5]
Hindu concept of 'Spiritual enlightenment'
Spiritual enlightenment in Hinduism is the realization of one's divine nature and true self, achieved through devotion, practices, and understanding spiritual principles, ultimately leading to liberation, unity with Brahman, and awakening to higher truths.
From: Skanda Purana
(1) A state achieved through deep penance and devotion, leading to a higher understanding or awakening.[6] (2) Achieving a higher state of awareness and understanding in the spiritual realm, often through guidance from sages.[7] (3) Achieving a profound understanding and insight into spiritual matters, which grants recognition to a Tirtha through the deeds of enlightened beings such as Devas, Danavas, or Dvijas.[8] (4) The state of gaining deep understanding and insight into one's true nature and the nature of the universe.[9] (5) A state of deeper understanding and awareness of the divine, flowing from devotion to Krishna.[10]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) The state attained by Sati, signifying her maturity and profound understanding during her meditation on Shiva.[11] (2) The ultimate goal of realizing one's true nature and becoming one with the supreme truth.[12] (3) The state achieved by sages through the performance of the Pashupata rites, leading to divine knowledge and liberation.[13] (4) The knowledge and understanding gained by participants who engage with Shivapurana and its teachings.[14] (5) A state of awareness and understanding that can be achieved through the teachings related to Varanasi.[15]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The deep insight and understanding of one's true nature and reality, often attained through meditation and knowledge.[16] (2) The state of awakening and higher consciousness that the birds fail to achieve due to their predatory nature.[17] (3) A state of profound understanding and awareness, often achieved through devotion and contemplation of the divine.[18] (4) The state of understanding and perceiving the Supreme Spirit and one's true nature.[19] (5) The state of understanding and wisdom that illuminates one's consciousness and perception.[20]
From: Bhagavata Purana
(1) Refers to the goddess Vidya, highlighting themes of knowledge and wisdom in the text.[21] (2) The pursuit of a deeper understanding of spirituality, particularly as seen in samnyasins.[22] (3) A state of awareness and understanding that leads to a deep knowledge of the self and communion with the Paramatman.[23] (4) The state of understanding one's true relationship with Paramatman, leading to a connection with the divine.[24]
From: Agni Purana
(1) The ultimate goal of pilgrimage, involving gaining profound wisdom and liberation from the cycle of rebirth.[25] (2) Represents the understanding or awareness associated with figures like Buddha, denoted by Sugata and Tathagata.[26]
From: Brahmanda Purana
(1) The process by which beings, through understanding virtue and wisdom, fulfill their roles as Pitris.[27] (2) The sons of Dirghatamas are noted for achieving high levels of spiritual understanding and wisdom.[28]
From: Linga Purana
(1) The ultimate goal of practices mentioned in the Lingapurana, aimed at achieving unity with the supreme soul.[29] (2) A state of awakening and realization concerning the nature of existence and the divine.[30]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) A state of understanding and awareness associated with reverence towards the divine, as depicted through Daksha's journey.[31] (2) The ultimate realization and knowledge attained by characters in the text, particularly through the understanding of Krishna's true nature.[32]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The state of greater understanding achieved through meditation and knowledge, which enables one to perceive the true essence of reality.[33]
From: Padma Purana
(1) The process of achieving deeper understanding and wisdom, as demonstrated by the interactions of the sages.[34]
From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha
(1) The state of awareness and understanding that leads to liberation and ultimate peace.[35]
From: Sri Krishna-Chaitanya
(1) The eternal understanding and organization of spiritual community aimed at cultivating theistic ideals.[36] (2) The realization or awakening to spiritual truths that liberate the individual from worldly misconceptions and ignorance.[37] (3) The awakening of the soul to its true nature and its relationship with Krishna, facilitated by the sadhu.[38] (4) The realization of absolute truth and understanding the nature of spiritual service.[39] (5) The revelation of one's relationship with Godhead facilitated through the guidance and approval of a bona fide spiritual teacher.[40]
From: Haribhakti-sudhodaya
(1) The deep understanding of divine truths and realities that comes from sincere devotion and meditation on God.[41] (2) The divine power that Sri Prahlada could bring to others by virtue of his connection with God, resulting in the washing away of sins.[42] (3) The realization of divine truths leading to liberation from material bondage.[43] (4) A state of heightened awareness and understanding attained through devotion and worship, as granted by sacred figures.[44] (5) The awakening of a devotee to higher truths and divine realities through worship and devotion.[45]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) The state of gaining profound understanding and insight into the nature of existence and the self.[46] (2) The state of greater understanding and realization of spiritual principles and the divine.[47]
From: Chaitanya Mangala
(1) The realization of divine truth and connection to the Supreme experienced through devotion.[48]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) The state of gaining insight and understanding about one's spiritual existence, often regarded as a goal of spiritual practices.[49]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) The process of gaining profound understanding and awareness of spiritual truths.[50]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) The state of understanding one's divine nature and the principles of existence beyond worldly attachments.[51]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)
(1) The profound understanding and awareness awakening that pushes one toward deeper truths beyond the material world.[52]
From: Sivaprakasam (Study in Bondage and Liberation)
(1) The process by which the individual self is illuminated, effectively negating the defilements of 'anavamala'.[53]
From: Dvisahasri of Tembesvami (Summary and Study)
(1) The knowledge and understanding that is imparted to Sayandeva and Tvashtra throughout their journeys.[54]
From: Narayaniya (Narayaneeyam)
(1) The ultimate goal of spiritual practices, as indicated by the state of being enlightened or receiving divine blessings.[55]
Jain concept of 'Spiritual enlightenment'
Spiritual enlightenment in Jainism encompasses achieving insight by overcoming ignorance, exemplified by figures like King Udayana, and involves a deeper self-awareness and understanding of one's relationship with the universe, as emphasized by Haribhadrasuri.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) A state achieved by characters like King Udayana through religious devotion and practice.[56] (2) The process of attaining higher understanding and awareness of one's self in relation to the universe, a key aim in Jain philosophy.[57]
From: Yogadrstisamuccaya of Haribhadra Suri (Study)
(1) Another theme explored by Haribhadrasuri in his works, emphasizing the importance of reaching higher states of consciousness.[58]
From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra
(1) The state of insight and understanding achieved through overcoming ignorance and adhering to the spiritual path.[59]
The concept of Spiritual enlightenment in local and regional sources
Spiritual enlightenment encompasses heightened awareness, profound understanding, and connection with the divine. It involves transcending ignorance through selfless practices, ultimately leading to deeper truths about existence and guiding individuals like Arjuna in epic narratives.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) A state of awakening to deeper truths about life and existence, often linked to transcending ignorance and achieving clarity.[60] (2) The state of higher understanding and awareness achieved through practices that align with disinterested action and selflessness.[61] (3) A state of awareness characterized by profound understanding and connection with the divine.[62] (4) A heightened state of awareness and understanding that is often a goal of epic narratives.[63] (5) The awakening to higher truths and realities that leads to a deeper understanding of existence and God.[64]
The concept of Spiritual enlightenment in scientific sources
Spiritual enlightenment involves achieving a profound understanding of life's truths and liberation from the cycle of birth and death through studying shastras, meditation, and breath control, ultimately leading to ultimate realization.
From: International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
(1) A profound understanding and realization of life's truths achieved through practices that involve deep meditation and breath control.[65] (2) The ultimate realization or understanding one seeks through the study of shastras, typically involving liberation from the cycle of birth and death.[66]