Part 4/10:
Within the broader Buddhist tradition, enlightenment is categorized either as gradual or sudden. Theravada Buddhism, common in the West, regards enlightenment (or nibbana) as a gradual achievement attained through persistent practice of the Eightfold Path. In contrast, Zen posits that enlightenment is often an instantaneous experience known as ‘satori.’
Imagine a dense cloud layer obscuring a radiant blue sky. In the gradual approach, those clouds dissipate slowly, while in Zen's sudden approach, they are blown away in an instant. Satori represents a moment where the illusion of a separate self is momentarily lifted, allowing for a direct encounter with the essence of reality—an insight beyond intellectual understanding where separation collapses.