Birds in the Egg and Newborn Lion Cubs: Metaphors for the Potentialities and Limitations of 'All-at-once' Enlightenment
Tibetan studies: Proceedings of the 5th Seminar of the International Association of Tibetan Studies, Narita 1989
Format:
Conference Paper
Publication Date:
199200/1992
Publisher:
Naritasan Shinshoji
Place of Publication:
Narita, Narita-shi, Chiba-ken
Pages:
95-113
Sources ID:
123211
Collection:
Tibetan and Himalayan Library
Visibility:
Public (group default)
Abstract:
(Show)
This article looks at the early uses of two metaphors for enlightenment, a bird still in the egg and a newborn lion, as well as later controversies surrounding the use and meaning of these metaphors. The metaphors were employed by Indian, Tibetan, and Chinese Buddhists, most famously in accounts of the debate between Indian and Chinese Buddhists at the SamyƩ (bsam yas) monastery in Tibet. Controversy often stemmed from debate as to whether or not the imagery conveyed a notion of "simultaneous" or "all-at-once" (cig car ba) enlightenment. (Ben Deitle 2006-02-23)
Format:
Print media (print or manuscript, including PDFs)
Subjects:
International Association of Tibetan Studies