Author
Merve Susuz Aygül
Publication Place
Ankara University -
Ankara University
Subject
Enlightenment, Zen Buddhism
Type
Book
Language
ara,tur
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Leitir Library
Library Asset ID
ISSN: 1301-0522, DOI: 10.33227/auifd.1183290
Record ID
cdi_doaj_primary_oai_doaj_org_article_1044aa16961c49c88edeb4d8909f4f74
Library Location
DOAJ Directory of Open Access Journals
Notes
Enlightenment, or Satori as it is called in Japanese Buddhism, is of central importance as a doctrine that indicates the ultimate goal to be achieved for all Buddhist schools. Zen Buddhism places enlightenment at its core by defining itself as the transfer of Sakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment experience from mind to mind through generations. Despite this importance, due to its nature, the doctrine of enlightenment does not have a consensus definition, method and feature. The main point emphasized by the narratives about the doctrine of Enlightenment is that this experience cannot be explained with words, it is an experience beyond language. Although the Zen tradition has an extensive literature on enlightenment, it basically accepts that enlightenment is a trans-linguistic experience. Although enlightenment is accepted as the essence of the Zen tradition, its indefinability has caused it to be understood as a transcendent experience that can be experienced but cannot be explained. Although enlightenment is understood as a transcendent and abstract experience in Buddhist schools and Zen in general, when we look at the history of Buddhism, it is possible to see concrete expressions and worldly reflections of enlightenment. While Buddhist and Zen literature frequently focus on ideal definitions/undefinability of enlightenment, it is often overlooked that in Zen, enlightenment has a visibility and a concrete counterpart in the daily life of monks. In this context, this article discusses the Zen tradition's understanding of enlightenment. The main claim of the article is that although Japanese Zen masters defined enlightenment as an essentially indefinable, transcendent, translingual experience and concentrated on the ideal enlightenment narratives in the Buddhist tradition, in the Medieval Japanese Zen school, enlightenment found a concrete response in the lives of monks and that in the lived Zen, enlightenment served as a means of obtaining worldly interests as well as spiritual authority. The subject and the claim are discussed on the basis of the Denkōroku, Keizan Shingi and Zazen Yojinki works of Keizan Jōkin, who is considered the second important name of the Japanese Sōtō Zen school. Enlightenment, known as Satori in Japanese Buddhism, is of central importance as the doctrine that indicates the ultimate goal to be achieved for all Buddhist schools. Zen Buddhism places enlightenment at its core by defining itself as the transfer of Sakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment experience from mind to mind through generations. Despite this importance, due to its nature, the doctrine of enlightenment does not have a consensus definition, method and feature. The main point emphasized by the narratives about the doctrine of Enlightenment is that this experience cannot be explained with words, it is an experience beyond language. Although the Zen tradition has an extensive literature on enlightenment, it basically accepts that enlightenment is a trans-linguistic experience. Although enlightenment is accepted as the essence of the Zen tradition, its indefinability has caused it to be understood as a transcendent experience that can be experienced but cannot be explained. Although enlightenment is understood as a transcendent and abstract experience in Buddhist schools and Zen in general, when we look at the history of Buddhism, it is possible to see concrete expressions and worldly reflections of enlightenment. While Buddhist and Zen literature frequently focus on ideal definitions/undefinability of enlightenment, it is often overlooked that in Zen, enlightenment has a visibility and a concrete counterpart in the daily life of monks. In this context, this article discusses the Zen tradition's understanding of enlightenment. The main claim of the article is that although Japanese Zen masters defined enlightenment as an essentially indefinable, transcendent, translingual experience and concentrated on the ideal enlightenment narratives in the Buddhist tradition, in the Medieval Japanese Zen school, enlightenment found a concrete response in the lives of monks and that in the lived Zen, enlightenment served as a means of obtaining worldly interests as well as spiritual authority. The subject and the claim are discussed on the basis of the works Denkōroku, Keizan Shingi and Zazen Yojinki by Keizan Jōkin, who is considered the second important name of the Japanese Sōtō Zen school.
Detaylı Başlık
Japon Zen Budizmi’nde Aydınlanma (Satori): Aşkın Bir Deneyimin Somut ve Dünyevi Yansımaları
