The Map of Awakening

One of the biggest philosophical divides between Buddhist schools and lineages is over the issue of whether enlightenment is a gradual step-by-step process, or sudden, and indeed what we always already are but just need to recognize. It’s one of those debates like whether there is fate or free-will.

Whether sudden or gradual, there are certain factors that each school has in common. Even the sudden enlightenment schools require some form of guidance. 

Many modern seekers are turned off by the idea of submitting to authority, with the rationale that no one has the right to be in control of another’s path. Given the politics of group dynamics and the power trips of some gurus, this reaction is justified. Self-responsibility is healthy. It’s also more democratic, whereas past models of spiritual authority, whether collective as in the church, or private as in the guru, represent feudal structures. I’m sympathetic to the urge for self-directed spirituality, but it also reflects current problems with modern society – directionlessness (egoism and its whims), trendiness, superficiliaty, etc. The urge to look to others for guidance is a natural response in a social animal such as ourselves, which explains why we have so much conformity and celebrity worship in secular society, so we might as well look for wisdom in others. 

If someone does not wish to join a community or learn from a teacher, that’s their right. Just as some people who go to gyms like to have a personal trainer to teach them and keep them motivated, spiritual guides can help those on the path of this higher training. 

According to Pali scholar Peter Masefield, the initial followers of the Buddha were transformed by peak experiences when they encountered him, and they engaged in the austerities of his path precisely because they knew nirvana would be the result. Without his example of peace and confidence, he would have been just another guru spouting theories.

Regarding the map of awakening, however, there are definite landmarks to help us know where we stand. Basically there are qualities you attain, and qualities you lose.

The Pali scriptures lists seven factors of awakening with regard to four frames of reference in meditation, that is, the body, sensations, mind, and phenomena. In the Ananda Sutta, from the Samyuta Nikaya, the Buddha states:

“And how are the four frames of reference developed & pursued so as to bring the seven factors for Awakening to their culmination?

[1] On whatever occasion the monk remains focused on the body in & of itself – ardent, alert, & mindful – putting aside greed & distress with reference to the world, on that occasion his mindfulness is steady & without lapse. When his mindfulness is steady & without lapse, then mindfulness as a factor for Awakening becomes aroused. He develops it, and for him it goes to the culmination of its development.

[2] Remaining mindful in this way, he examines, analyzes, & comes to a comprehension of that quality with discernment. When he remains mindful in this way, examining, analyzing, & coming to a comprehension of that quality with discernment, then analysis of qualities as a factor for Awakening becomes aroused. He develops it, and for him it goes to the culmination of its development.

[3] In one who examines, analyzes, & comes to a comprehension of that quality with discernment, unflagging persistence is aroused. When unflagging persistence is aroused in one who examines, analyzes, & comes to a comprehension of that quality with discernment, then persistence as a factor for Awakening becomes aroused. He develops it, and for him it goes to the culmination of its development.

[4] In one whose persistence is aroused, a rapture not-of-the-flesh arises. When a rapture not-of-the-flesh arises in one whose persistence is aroused, then rapture as a factor for Awakening becomes aroused. He develops it, and for him it goes to the culmination of its development.                                          

[5] For one who is enraptured, the body grows calm and the mind grows calm. When the body & mind of an enraptured monk grow calm, then serenity as a factor for Awakening becomes aroused. He develops it, and for him it goes to the culmination of its development.                                                   

[6] For one who is at ease – his body calmed – the mind becomes concentrated. When the mind of one who is at ease – his body calmed – becomes concentrated, then concentration as a factor for Awakening becomes aroused. He develops it, and for him it goes to the culmination of its development.                                                                                                     

[7] He oversees the mind thus concentrated with equanimity. When he oversees the mind thus concentrated with equanimity, equanimity as a factor for Awakening becomes aroused. He develops it, and for him it goes to the culmination of its development.

[Similarly with the other three frames of reference: feelings, mind, & mental qualities.]

“This is how the four frames of reference are developed & pursued so as to bring the seven factors for Awakening to their culmination.”                       

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Another teaching in the Pali Canon is the ten fetters (samyojana) of enlightenment. These are obstacles encountered as one enters the stream to nirvana. Briefly, they are:

 1.  Self-identity beliefs

 2. Doubt

 3. Clinging to ritual/rites

 4. Sensual craving

 5. Ill will

 6. Attachment to form

 7. Attachment to the formless

 8. Conceit (comparing self to others)

 9. Restlessness

 10.  Ignorance (regarding the 4 Noble Truths).  

 (www.insightmeditationcenter.org/imc-dharmalists.html)

There is also a list of stages of enlightenment in Mahayana  Buddhism. In the path of the Bodhisattva there are ten stages, or “bhumis.”

1. The first stage is called in Sanskrit Pramudita, or Very Happy. Bhumi means stage or ground. From the position of Bodhisattva to become a Buddha, one must go through the ten Bhumis, the ten stages  or stations. The first is called the Very Happy station because in this first stage the Bodhisattva has recognized the Sunyata not only by thinking or just by visualization, but he has exactly and truly realized the Sunyata. Because he recognized the Sunyata, he is in another world, a world of Sunyata, not a world of ignorance or selfishness. So he feels very happy, and feels joy at having overcome the former difficulties. So it is called the Very Happy Station.

10. The tenth bhumi is called Dharmamegha or Dharma Cloud. At this stage a Bodhisattva is not only able to talk to promote the Dharma but really can make Dharma rain, so this is the tenth bhumi’s name.

(www.heartspace.org/writings/traditional/TenBhumis.html)