In Zen Buddhism, satori refers to

• A. Meditation
• B. Compassion
• C. Enlightenment
• D. Reincarnation

Answer: (C)

Satori is a sudden, direct awakening to enlightenment in Zen Buddhism. It refers to a experiential realization of one’s true nature and the way things really are, often described as a breakthrough moment that dissolves ordinary, dualistic thinking. In Zen, this awakening is the goal of practice, even though meditation and disciplined training are the paths that prepare the mind for it. The moment of satori is not simply a technique or a moral virtue; it’s the felt experience of insight that transforms how a person sees themselves and the world. Compassion is a crucial virtue in Buddhism, but it is not what satori denotes. Reincarnation is a belief about the cycle of birth and death and does not capture the sense of awakening that satori conveys. So, the correct choice is Enlightenment, the direct realization at the heart of Zen practice.