Subitism

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The term Subitism as applied to Buddhism (to disambiguate, see Subitizing) is derived from the French 'illumination subite' (lit. 'sudden illumination'), contrasting with 'illumination graduelle'. It gained currency in this use in English from the work of sinologist Paul Demiéville, whose 1947 work 'Mirror of the Mind' was widely read in the U.S. and inaugurated a series by him on subitism and gradualism^[1].

'Subitism' is used in Ch'an and Zen scholarly discourse to denote the position that enlightenment (bodhi or satori) is instantaneous, sudden and direct, and not attained by practice through a period of time however protracted or minute , and not the fruit of a gradual accretion or realisation. A person, school or philosophy that ascribes to Subitism is referred to as a "subitist". Aspects of Dzogchen and Mahamudra may be referred to as subitist, as well as all Zen schools.