Question, search and perseverance relate to each other like flint stones, which strike sparks in their friction. Master Dogen calls this inner direction “Bodaishin”, the Buddha-seeking mind. This spirit of question, search and perseverance is the prerequisite for the glow of the spark. In Zen there are different words for the moment of sparkle: Kensho, Satori and Dai Kensho.
All three terms refer to a look into one’s own “True Nature”. This term sounds so mysterious and is therefore confusing. t describes a pleasantly cheerful but also exciting experience that many of us already had as children: in the middle of playing the world is approaching us and we know without any doubt: “I am the world and the world is me…”. – For a moment we have become one with all phenomena: People, animals, plants, water, mountains, rocks, stones, pebbles, sand and dust. An ancient memory, older than ourselves, has revealed itself effortlessly.
Siddharta Gautama himself had such a childhood memory. Back then, when his father was plowing the field, Siddharta had been sitting in the shade of a rose-apple tree. Suddenly he entered a state without any tension or disturbance: This “deepening” shifted him into ecstasy and bliss, so he reportsIn the Mahasaccaka Sutta (Majjhima Nikaya 36): “I thought: ‘I recall once, when my father the Sakyan was working, and I was sitting in the cool shade of a rose-apple tree, then — quite secluded from sensuality, secluded from unskillful mental qualities — I entered and remained in the first jhana: rapture and pleasure born from seclusion, accompanied by directed thought and evaluation. Could that be the path to Awakening?’ Then following on that memory came the realization: ‘That is the path to Awakening.” (MN 36) – and the realization came to him: “This is the path to enlightenment”.
Kensho, Satori and Dai Kensho blessed him along his path. Smaller insights, flashing insights and finally a great awakening that would give direction to his life: he became an unsurpassable teacher in guiding others to awakening – and to realizing an awakened life.