The difference between illumination and enlightenment?

[idiot_stimpy]

I have always wondered what the difference between illumination and enlightenment were?

 

Any ideas?

[eye_of_the_storm]

Light can be used to reveal and to blind.

[Jetsun]

If you put on the light then you can be illuminated to the truth that the snake in the corner is in reality a harmless rope, if you keep the light on you remain enlightened to your illumination, but if the light goes off you can start imagining there are dangerous snakes in the darkness again ... or something like that , I don't have personal experience so I probably should stop talking about things I don't know about.

[idiot_stimpy]

Thanks Jetsun, made sense!

[GrandmasterP]

Why curse the darkness when you can light a candle? = Illumination.

No darkness, No light = Enlightenment.

 

Enlightenment's a slippery beastie, most of us get by on the odd flash of illumination.

Anything else is a bonus.

[Jeff]

I have always wondered what the difference between illumination and enlightenment were?

 

Any ideas?

 

In the traditions were I have seen two levels...

 

Illumination is clear mind. Often called realization of the self. One begins to experience spiritual light (beyond mind).

 

Enlightenment is Buddhahood. One is the light.