Satori (?) (Chinese: ; pinyin: w; Korean: o; Vietnamese: ng) is a Japanese Buddhist term for awakening, "comprehension; understanding".[web 1] It is derived from the Japanese verb satoru.

In the Zen Buddhist tradition, satori refers to the experience of kensh,[2] "seeing into one's true nature". Ken means "seeing," sh means "nature" or "essence."[2]

Satori and kensh are commonly translated as enlightenment, a word that is also used to translate bodhi, prajna and buddhahood.

Satori is often used interchangeably with kensh.[2]Kensh refers to the perception of the Buddha-Nature or emptiness. According to some authors, kensh is a brief glimpse, while satori is considered to be a deeper spiritual experience.[citation needed]

Distinct from this first insight, daigo-tettei is used to refer to a "deep" or lasting realization of the nature of existence.[2]

According to D. T. Suzuki,

Satori is the raison d'tre of Zen, without which Zen is no Zen. Therefore every contrivance, disciplinary and doctrinal, is directed towards satori.

This view is typical of Rinzai, which emphasizes satori. The St school rejects this emphasis, and instead emphasizes "silent illumination" through the practice of zazen.

Satori is considered a "first step" or embarkation toward Buddhahood:

Ch'an expressions refer to enlightenment as "seeing your self-nature". But even this is not enough. After seeing your self-nature, you need to deepen your experience even further and bring it into maturation. You should have enlightenment experience again and again and support them with continuous practice. Even though Ch'an says that at the time of enlightenment, your outlook is the same as of the Buddha, you are not yet a full Buddha.

The student's mind must be prepared by rigorous study, with the use of koans, and the practice of meditation to concentrate the mind, under the guidance of a teacher. Koans are short anecdotes of verbal exchanges between teachers and students, typically of the Song dynasty, dealing with Buddhist teachings. The Rinzai-school utilizes classic collections of koans such as the Gateless Gate. The Gateless Gate was assembled by the early 13th-century Chinese Zen master Wumen Hui-k'ai ().

Wumen struggled for six years with koan "Zhaozhous dog", assigned to him by Yuelin Shiguan (; Japanese: Gatsurin Shikan) (11431217), before attaining kensh. After his understanding had been confirmed by Yuelin, Wumen wrote the following enlightenment poem:

A thunderclap under the clear blue sky

All beings on earth open their eyes; Everything under heaven bows together; Mount Sumeru leaps up and dances.

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Satori - Wikipedia