What is enlightenment and what does it mean to be enlightened? Humankind and many civilizations have struggled with these ideas for at least 2,500 years, from the time of Lao Tse, the oldest known Chinese sage up through the Age of Enlightenment. We continue to struggle even today with that term, and how we should apply it to our modern world.
Clearly, being highly educated and credentialled does not equate to being enlightened. So, let’s examine the term from a few vantage points to add a bit of clarity to the discussion.
Perspective and Context
History tells us that the Age of Enlightenment extended from 1715 to 1789. During this period, many English, Scottish, and French philosophers wrote treatises on man’s position in the universe and how societies can best be governed. Put simply, they argued that man must forego the myths and superstitions of the Middle Ages and move ever more boldly towards science and reason in all things. A corollary to this thinking was that the divine right of kings must be overturned as well.
The Scottish Enlightenment and the European Enlightenment informed the thinking and deliberations of America’s Founders. As a consequence of this thinking, science and scientism have become the new dogma that replaces religious belief and much of the traditional ideas from the Middle Ages.
One Buddhist’s Definition of Enlightenment
Matthieu Ricard who is a noted French writer who became a Buddhist wrote that enlightenment in the Buddhist tradition represents an amalgam of pure wisdom and knowledge with total compassion. I believe that definition is probably as good as any. The enlightenment of Hinduism is probably different and perhaps the Dalai Lama might opt for a different meaning as well.
An Alternative Understanding of Enlightenment
I recently read for the third or fourth time a wonderful little book written by Hong Yingming called “The Roots of Wisdom.” This title is the English translation of the book he wrote more than 400 years ago during the Ming Dynasty. The title of his book then was Cai Gen Tan or Vegetable Root Discourses. It is a true gem of wisdom for life and spiritual living.
The repeated reading of that book, as published by Asiapac Books, prompted my own personal understanding of enlightenment. To me, enlightenment means living life at a very conscious level and always doing the right thing spontaneously and without thinking about it. When a situation presents itself, an enlightened person (in my view) does the right thing. He does not ponder or hesitate in the slightest. He or she acts instinctively and immediately.
The Question for All of Us
We must all ask ourselves that question at the end of each day. Have we acted in an enlightened way today?
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Cordially,
Andrew J. Guinosso
External Link: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1472649.Cai_Gen_Tan
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