Enlightenment

From Encyclopedia of Buddhism
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The English term enlightenment is used to translate several Buddhist terms and concepts, most notably:

  • nirvana - literally, "to be extinguished," meaning the extinction of craving (tanha); this is the earliest and most common term used to describe the goal of the Buddhist path
  • bodhi - awakening, supreme knowledge; "through bodhi, one awakens from the sleep of ignorance, and comprehends the four truths"
  • buddhahood - the completely awakened state of a buddha