SATORI AND KENSHŌ Satori, which literally means “understanding,” is the word used in Zen to refer to a kind of awakening or enlightenment. Another term used in Japanese Buddhism to refer to a state of enlightenment is kenshō. The differences between kenshō and satori have been discussed extensively by various authors. According to Suzuki, kenshō is a momentary experience in which you see your own nature through a direct tunnel, while satori is a deeper and more lasting transformation.
