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Significance of Supreme Enlightenment

Supreme Enlightenment in Buddhism signifies the ultimate state of awakening and realization that all sentient beings aspire to achieve in their spiritual journey. It represents complete liberation from suffering and ignorance, characterized by profound understanding and compassion. This ultimate goal, known as anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, symbolizes the attainment of true Buddhahood and perfect wisdom. Various schools of Buddhism, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan, emphasize this state as the pinnacle of spiritual practice, embodying the highest realization of truth and one's true nature.1
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Synonyms: Ultimate awareness, Highest knowledge, Complete illumination, Absolute wisdom, Comprehensive understanding, Ultimate wisdom, Perfect insight

In Dutch: Opperste Verlichting; In Finnish: Korkein valaistuminen; In Spanish: Iluminaci贸n suprema; In German: H枚chste Erleuchtung

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Supreme Enlightenment'

Buddhism Books

Supreme Enlightenment in Buddhism refers to the ultimate state of being a Buddha, characterized by complete liberation, profound understanding of reality, and the attainment of perfect wisdom and compassion, guiding others toward enlightenment.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra

(1) The ultimate goal of Buddhahood, where one attains complete awakening and liberation.[1] (2) The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, representing the state of complete awakening and realization of the truth.[2] (3) The ultimate realization of truth and liberation from the cycles of birth and death that all beings aspire to achieve.[3] (4) The highest state of understanding and realization in Buddhism, often referred to as Buddhahood.[4] (5) The ultimate realization and understanding of the true nature of reality and a key objective in Buddhist practice.[5]

From: Mahavastu (great story)

(1) The ultimate state of knowledge and realization that the Bodhisattva seeks to achieve, also termed as Buddha-hood.[6] (2) The ultimate spiritual goal sought by Bodhisattvas and Buddhas, representing complete awakening.[7] (3) The ultimate understanding and realization of truth attained by the Buddha.[8] (4) The ultimate spiritual state attained by the Buddha, characterized by complete liberation from suffering and ignorance.[9] (5) The ultimate state of awakening and realization attained by the Buddha, characterized by the absence of suffering and ignorance.[10]

From: The Perfection Of Wisdom In Eight Thousand Lines

(1) Supreme enlightenment is the highest state of wisdom and understanding that can be achieved, beyond the states of Trances, leading to the ultimate realization and fulfillment.[11] (2) The ultimate goal of spiritual practice in Buddhism, signifying complete understanding and liberation from suffering.[12] (3) The ultimate state of enlightenment that is achieved when the qualities of a Buddha are fully developed, beginning with the first thought.[13] (4) The ultimate state of understanding and awareness in Buddhism, characterized by the realization of the true nature of reality as a Buddha.[14]

From: Lotus Sutra (Saddharma-Pundarika)

(1) The ultimate attainment in Buddhist practice, often the goal of Bodhisattvas.[15] (2) The highest state of spiritual consciousness, which Avalokitesvara aspires to attain and aids others in achieving.[16] (3) The ultimate state of being a Buddha, characterized by complete understanding and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.[17] (4) The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, achieving a state of perfect wisdom and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.[18]

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The ultimate stage of awakening that a bodhisattva aspires to achieve, representing complete Buddhahood.[19] (2) The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the highest level of understanding and realization of truth.[20]

From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra

(1) The highest state of spiritual fulfillment and understanding, beyond conventional wisdom.[21] (2) The ultimate state of awakening and understanding that encompasses all wisdom and compassion.[22]

From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra

(1) The ultimate realization and awakening achieved by fully understanding the teachings of the Buddha and transcending worldly concerns.[23]

From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara

(1) The highest level of spiritual realization, sought after by individuals on the Mahayana path.[24]

From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)

(1) The ultimate state of understanding and realization of the Buddha Way.[25]

From: The 6th Patriarch Platform Sutra

(1) The ultimate state of realization where one fully understands both their own nature and the nature of all phenomena as essence of mind.[26]

From: Lankavatara Sutra

(1) The highest state of awakening that a Tathagata, or enlightened being, can attain.[27]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Maha Buddhavamsa鈥擳he Great Chronicle of Buddhas

(1) Full realization and attainment of Buddhahood, culminating in the ultimate understanding of reality.[28] (2) The ultimate realization achieved by the Buddha on the Throne of Victory after meditating on Dependent Origination.[29] (3) The state attained by the Buddha, representing complete realization and understanding of true nature.[30] (4) The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, towards which the mind of the meditator is inclined through contemplation of the Buddha.[31] (5) The highest state of understanding and realization achieved by a Buddha, synonymous with Buddhahood.[32]

From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada

(1) The highest level of understanding and awareness attained by the Buddha, marking his freedom from past influences.[33] (2) Supreme Enlightenment is the ultimate state of awakening and realization achieved by the bodhisatta, marking the full understanding of the nature of reality.[34] (3) The ultimate awakening achieved by the Buddha resulting from extensive personal development and realization of life鈥檚 truths.[35]

From: Guide to Tipitaka

(1) The highest state of realization and understanding one can attain through following the Buddha's teachings.[36] (2) The ultimate goal of spiritual attainment claimed by the Buddha and compared to other teachers by King Pasenadi.[37] (3) The state attained by the Buddha at the Bodhi Tree, marking his complete awakening to the nature of reality.[38]

From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)

(1) The ultimate state of wisdom and understanding that the Buddha attained and promoted as achievable for all practitioners.[39] (2) The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, referred to as samma sambodhi, requiring the cultivation of numerous virtues.[40]

From: The Doctrine of Paticcasamuppada

(1) The highest state of understanding achieved by the Buddha, leading to liberation from suffering.[41] (2) The ultimate state of awakening achieved by the Buddha, characterized by complete understanding and freedom from suffering.[42]

From: Mahavamsa

(1) The state attained by the Buddha Gotama on the full-moon day, representing the highest level of understanding and liberation from suffering.[43]

From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)

(1) Mett谩 and karuna became fully matured at the time of Supreme Enlightenment.[44]

From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)

(1) The ultimate goal of a Bodhisattava, characterized by the attainment of full Buddhahood and insight.[45]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: The Great Chariot

(1) The ultimate state of awakening and realization sought by all sentient beings in their spiritual journey.[46] (2) Supreme enlightenment refers to the highest state of spiritual awakening in Buddhism, characterized by complete understanding and compassion.[47] (3) The ultimate realization of one's true nature and the liberation from suffering and ignorance.[48] (4) The ultimate goal in mahayoga-tantra, representing the attainment of complete spiritual realization and awakening.[49] (5) The ultimate goal of attaining true buddhahood for oneself and others.[50]

From: The Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King (A Life of Buddha)

(1) The ultimate realization attained by Buddha, marking a key point in the narrative conveyed by the various texts.[51]

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)

(1) A state attained by all the Buddhas of the Blessed Kalpa, which allows them to manifest as Bodhisattvas.[52]

From: The Six Yogas of Naropa

(1) This is what one hopes for the sake of sentient beings, and practices the Yoga of this Tutelary Buddha鈥擵ajrasattva.[53]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha鈥檚 words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Hindu concept of 'Supreme Enlightenment'

Hinduism Books

Supreme Enlightenment in Hinduism signifies a profound state of understanding and awareness that goes beyond conventional knowledge, representing the ultimate spiritual realization and insight into the nature of existence and the self.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4

(1) A state of ultimate understanding and awareness that transcends ordinary knowledge.[54]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Plural form: Supreme enlightenments.