Kensho, literally "seeing the nature", is an experience described in the context of Zen Buddhism. The term is often used to denote an initial awakening experience, seeing one's True- or Buddha-Nature, that can be enlarged and clarified through further practice in daily life.

The Kensho experience

In Kensho, one experiences the illusionary nature of the separate self. Because of the nature of the mind, any perception seems to involve a perceived object, the process of perception, and a perceiving subject. For example, 'I see you': you - the perceived object, see - the process of perception, I - the perceiving subject, that appears to be separate from the perceived objects. Trying to find the "I," the perceiving subject, through introspection leads to the realisation that this "I," is completely dependent on the process of perception.

Seeking kensho

Working towards this realisation is usually a lengthy process of meditation and introspection under guidance of a Zen or other Buddhist teacher. The method is known as: 'Who am I', since it is this question that guides the enquiry into one's true nature. The intellectual realization that there is no 'I' that is doing the thinking, but rather that the thinking process brings forth the illusion of an 'I', is a step on the way to Kensho

See also

• Zen
• Satori
• [[Nirvana|]]