[uncoosesoge]

Dear friends,

Do the ideas of "sudden" and "gradual" enlightenment exist in all Buddhist traditions ?

I'd also be interested in your own opinions about these concepts.

with kind wishes,

Aloka

hi aloka,
theravaden buddhism teaches 4 stages of enlightenment, i believe enlightenment is a process. but like ananda he was sotapanna and with his realization he was not an arahant before his head hit the pillow he became an arahant, his process was also gradual. the process of ripening(becoming ready) is gradual but the experience leading to enlightenment is sudden.
jason