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Entry: certification

Chinese char:

Explanation:

According to Buddhist teachings, all those who realize enlightenment (see entry) must have their enlightenment certified by a truly enlightened master. The master looks directly into the mind of the person seeking certification to see that all traces of attachment to self have been eliminated. This practice insures the proper continuation of the authentic teachings of the Buddha. It also makes clear why lineages (see entry) of enlightened masters going back to the Buddha himself are central to living Buddhism.

Very often, particularly in the West, people think they are enlightened when they are not, or they simply do not understand what is meant by enlightenment. If someone thinks he or she is enlightened and is not, that precludes their making further progress toward enlightenment. They may also seriously mislead others. The requirement of certification keeps these people from damaging themselves and others because of their ignorance. Of course there are also those who deliberately mislead others for their own selfish ends.

Pinyin: zheng , zheng ming , zheng de

Sanskrit: prapti saksat-krti

Pali:

Alternative: verification

See Also: enlightenment, lineage, Chan School

BTTS Ref:

Last Updated: 12/28/2001 2:49:28 AM EST

Updated by: 207.21.59.239

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