The eternal present that the Buddha lives in is described as a “favorable moment.” Monks are called to not lose the moment, and congratulated for seizing it. The comprehension of ultimate reality comes in an instant like a flash of lightning, giving it the name “instantaneous enlightenment.” It can be compared to “the flash that communicates revelation.” It is time that gives access to that which is beyond time, paradoxically.[^1] This can also be connected with the notion of beauty, the sort of beauty that is associated with the sacred found from Plato to Aquinas. God is beauty itself. Beauty is an occurrence of truth. Truth is an event in so far as it has to be revealed. Beauty is the moment of enlightenment, or often expressed from the perspective of those who are being enlightened as the moment of truth.[^2] Up: [[Symbolism of Time]] [^1]: [[Mircea Eliade]], *[[Images and Symbols]]*, 81 [^2]: [[John Vervaeke]], *[[PA The Primacy of Beauty]]*, Lecture 1.