Tongyō

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Tongyō (Jap., ‘sudden enlightenment’). The attainment of sudden or immediate enlightenment in Zen Buddhism, in contrast with the gradual progress (zengyō) through long training, meditation practice, etc. Tongyō-tonshu is ‘sudden enlightenment and sudden practice’ (i.e. all meritorious acts are performed in a short time), tongyō-zenshu is ‘sudden enlightenment and long practice’.

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