The Nature of Enlightenment

Q: What does it mean to be enlightened – does it mean being free of suffering? Once a person reaches the first phase, can you “lose” enlightenment?

A: People define enlightenment differently. I like the expression: sudden awakening, gradual cultivation, sudden awakening, gradual cultivation, sudden awakening . . . . in lovely circle, or spiral, with no point of beginning. Or the traditional phrase: moments of enlightenment . . . many times a day.

In early Buddhism, enlightenment is conceived of...