关键词: 一超直入, 积劫方成, 顿悟, 渐悟, 模糊性

Abstract:

“Enlightenment Achieved at One Stroke” and “Enlightenment Achieved Through Accumulation” are excerpts from Dong Qichang’s calligraphy theories during the Ming Dynasty. When the Buddhist method was introduced into our country, the Zen enlightenment notion led to binary methods of enlightenment by “Epiphany” and “Gradual Realization”. This article uses the method of analyzing and citing documents to go deep step by step by virtue of logical development. Through putting “Enlightenment Achieved at One Stroke” and “Enlightenment Achieved Through Accumulation” in the specific context of Zen Buddhism in our country and citing as an instance the research on the problems of “Epiphany” and “Gradual Realization” in China and West, we will have a better understanding of “Enlightenment Achieved at One Stroke” and “Enlightenment Achieved Through Accumulation”. This leads to another reflection: in the context of both China and West, it can be seen that there is relative ambiguity between “Enlightenment Achieved at One Stroke” and “Enlightenment Achieved Through Accumulation”, “Epiphany” and “Gradual Realization”, so the ambiguity is analyzed. Then it explores the issue of our understanding of the times and cultural application of “Enlightenment Achieved at One Stroke” and “Enlightenment Achieved Through Accumulation” after the Ming Dynasty.

Key words: enlightenment achieved at one stroke, enlightenment achieved through accumulation, epiphany, gradual realization, ambiguity