Bodhi, once translated as "the Way," is now rendered as awakening or enlightenment. The Way implies passage; a…
Bodhi, once translated as "the Way," is now rendered as awakening or enlightenment. The Way implies passage; awakening implies realization. What is realized may be divided in two: The truth of principle, nirvana attained by extinguishing afflictions, is shared by all three vehicles of enlightenment. The truth of conditioned phenomena, all worldly dharmas comprehended by removing the obstacles to omniscience, attainable only by Buddhas. The Buddha's bodhi encompasses both principle and phenomenon; thus, it is called the Supreme Enlightenment.