The Japanese equivalent of Sudden Enlightenment is 頓悟 (Tongo).

Breakdown:

• 頓 (Ton): This character means “sudden” or “immediate,” just as in Chinese. • 悟 (Go): This character means “enlightenment” or “awakening,” referring to a sudden realization or profound spiritual insight.

Together:

頓悟 (Tongo) in Japanese also means “sudden enlightenment” or “instant awakening.” It is used primarily in Zen Buddhism, particularly in the Rinzai School, where sudden, direct experiences of awakening (kenshō or satori) are emphasized. This term reflects the idea that enlightenment can be attained in a single moment of realization, bypassing gradual or systematic spiritual practices.