The general/consensus on what constitute an enlightenment / awakening attainment

[Padmist]

I found this thread and intend to read it soon.

the great Nibbana = annihilation, eternal, or something else thread
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=22409

But I don't know if that's what I'm looking for.

This is what I'm confused about.

• Is enlightenment as commonly used in conversations = nirvana?

• Are there enlightened beings today?

• If there are, how common is it? Every monk? Not every monk but mostly? Some monks? The 'top' / most 'well known' monks? A few? Only the recluse forest yogis? Few to none?

• I'm not asking for exact figure but merely aligning my understanding to a more 'proper' general understanding by most Buddhists

• If someone is an enlightened being, can we know? can we guess? can we see signs?

• Are there enlightened beings you could name from the 20th century?

• Can we say / would it be okay to say / assume that Balangoda Anandamaitreya is one? What about Buddhadasa?

• Can lay Buddhists be enlightened? Not impossible but extremely unlikely? or is it possible generally?

• Or I got it all wrong, to be "enlightened" one means / has to die, therefore there are no enlightened beings until they die?

• Or did I get that one wrong too?

• This confusion arise from my misunderstanding on what attainment constitute? Is it reaching the 9th jhana? much lower? much higher?

• Everywhere I see this question posted online, I keep seeing a few posters talking about their "enlightenment", which I don't doubt the possibility of, but I am cautiously skeptical that they are properly referring to their 'epiphany' and misattributing it as 'enlightenment'. I say that because by looking at other posts, the profile of these enlightened claimants include a lay Buddhist who's working at a nail salon but loves winding down in a hot bath, with scented candle and meditating 45 minutes a night or a bunch of IT tech specialists/analysts who's attended a number of Secular Dharma groups, Dharma Collective, some Discord chats and now they're enlightened too. (I mean really?)

[cappuccino]

best to not worry about it


I never was concerned about it

[SarathW]

In Buddhism, the final goal is Nibbana. (say enlightement)
It is an unconditioned state so you can't describe in words however there are some attempts to do so.

The word nibbana comes from nir meaning ‘stop’ and và meaning ‘to blow.’ Thus Nibbana is the extinguishing or blowing out of the fires of greed, hatred and ignorance. Alternatively, it may come from nir plus vana meaning ‘desire’ and thus mean the ‘stopping of desire.’ When, as a result of practicing The Noble Eightfold Middle Path, ignorance and craving give way to knowledge and fulfilment, one attains Nibbana and at death is no longer subject to rebirth and all the suffering that entails.

https://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php/Nibbana

[freedom]

In Buddhism that I know, Enlightenment moment is when you can affirm for sure that there is no longer any condition that can cause any suffering to you. You are completely free from all sufferings. You are completely free from all bonding.

[chownah]

In Buddhism that I know, Enlightenment moment is when you can affirm for sure that there is no longer any condition that can cause any suffering to you. You are completely free from all sufferings. You are completely free from all bonding.

Good posting....the buddha said that he only taught the end of suffering......
chownah

[mjaviem]

...

• If someone is an enlightened being, can we know? can we guess? can we see signs?

...

I think we can tell when someone is not enlightened if we get to know them a little.

Free from sensual desire, aversion and confusion/delusion? Free from conceit? Wise and benevolent? Dispassioned?

I think you can tell.

[Bundokji]

• Is enlightenment as commonly used in conversations = nirvana?

It depends on the context where these terms as encountered. In general, the suttas refers to awakening, which includes knowledge of the unconditioned "nirvana".

• Are there enlightened beings today?

It depends on your criteria. One can be certain that some individuals declare or believe themselves to be enlightened. If you find this as a reliable source of knowledge, then feel free to believe that there are enlightened beings today. In general, speculating about what others are is not advisable.

• If there are, how common is it? Every monk? Not every monk but mostly? Some monks? The 'top' / most 'well known' monks? A few? Only the recluse forest yogis? Few to none?

As above.

• I'm not asking for exact figure but merely aligning my understanding to a more 'proper' general understanding by most Buddhists

Who are the "most Buddhists" you are referring to? Even if a group of people believe in something, it does not necessarily say about the truth of it. This is why, speculating about such matters is not advisable.

• If someone is an enlightened being, can we know? can we guess? can we see signs?

It is better to mind ones own business.

• Are there enlightened beings you could name from the 20th century?

As above.

• Can we say / would it be okay to say / assume that Balangoda Anandamaitreya is one? What about Buddhadasa?

Why to speculate?

• Can lay Buddhists be enlightened? Not impossible but extremely unlikely? or is it possible generally?

Why not?

• Or I got it all wrong, to be "enlightened" one means / has to die, therefore there are no enlightened beings until they die?

Instead of thinking you got it right or wrong, you can work on asking meaningful questions, or investigate why these questions are meaningful to you.

• Or did I get that one wrong too?

As above.

• This confusion arise from my misunderstanding on what attainment constitute? Is it reaching the 9th jhana? much lower? much higher?

The main attainment is understanding the four noble truths.

• Everywhere I see this question posted online, I keep seeing a few posters talking about their "enlightenment", which I don't doubt the possibility of, but I am cautiously skeptical that they are properly referring to their 'epiphany' and misattributing it as 'enlightenment'. I say that because by looking at other posts, the profile of these enlightened claimants include a lay Buddhist who's working at a nail salon but loves winding down in a hot bath, with scented candle and meditating 45 minutes a night or a bunch of IT tech specialists/analysts who's attended a number of Secular Dharma groups, Dharma Collective, some Discord chats and now they're enlightened too. (I mean really?)

No one can tell you what you should do, but in my opinion, reading the suttas and asking one question at a time about the teachings (rather than people) would get you more focused answers and allow you to engage fruitfully.