Enlightenment in Mahayana Buddhism in the Case of Bodhidharma’ Doctrine

Abstract

This article discusses the enlightenment in view of Jhāna sect of Mahayana Buddhism in a case of Ven. Bodhidharma who was a founder and propagator of sudden enlightenment doctrine. His teachings were influenced by two major sects, i.e. emptiness of Mādhyamika and only consciousness of Yogācāra. Both of them emphasized on epistemological field which enclosed with consciousness nature not required to any principles of ethics or morality which belong to conventional truth. Because the enlightenment belongs to individual experience not social concern. Social involvement generates the determined structure, evaluation which cause mental formations whatever it issues. Buddhism does not pay much attention to social issues, but rather to overcome the mental suffering. When the mind has attained complete enlightenment, then the social order is in a state of peace itself. The sudden realization of the dharma is due to seeing the true state of reality, emptiness and only one consciousness until mind became blissful and the unity freeing from all sufferings, defilements and delusion.