Transfiguration (in religion)
Encyclopedia
Transfiguration, in religion, refers to the assumption by spiritual masters, or its perception by their followers, of momentary divine radiance.
The most famous case of transfiguration is the transfiguration of Jesus
, but this article looks at cases of transfiguration when the person is not Jesus.
, at the conclusion of this instruction, instead of simply being given the new name Israel, Jacob is introduced to his heavenly counterpart, the angel Israel.
) that has stood in the Lord’s Presence.
apocrypha offers a detailed account of the assumption and transfiguration of Moses.
states that the Immaculate Virgin [...] was exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe, that she might be the more fully confimed to her Son, the Lord of lords and the conqueror of sin and death.
, eternal life is said to be the transfiguration of all of humanity.
is said to have been twice transfigured, at the moment of his enlightenment
and at the moment of his death.
, some high-ranking demons, such as Lucifer, are said to have been able to shapeshift in order to deceive people.
The most famous case of transfiguration is the transfiguration of Jesus
Transfiguration of Jesus
The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event reported in the New Testament in which Jesus is transfigured and becomes radiant upon a mountain. The Synoptic Gospels describe it, and 2 Peter 1:16-18 refers to it....
, but this article looks at cases of transfiguration when the person is not Jesus.
Transfiguration of Jacob
In the ladder of JacobLadder of Jacob
The Ladder of Jacob is a pseudepigraphic writing of the Old Testament. It is usually considered to be part of the Apocalyptic literature. The text has been preserved only in Slavonic, and it is clearly a translation from a now lost Greek version...
, at the conclusion of this instruction, instead of simply being given the new name Israel, Jacob is introduced to his heavenly counterpart, the angel Israel.
Transfiguration of Enoch
In the Book of Enoch, when Enoch returns to Earth, he tells his children that although they see him as the earthly, human Enoch, there is likewise an angelic Enoch (MetatronMetatron
Metatron or Mattatron is the name of an angel in Judaism and some branches of Christian mythology. There are no references to him in the Jewish Tanakh or Christian Scriptures...
) that has stood in the Lord’s Presence.
Transfiguration of Moses
The assumption of MosesAssumption of Moses
The Assumption of Moses is a Jewish apocryphal pseudepigraphical work. It is known from a single sixth-century incomplete manuscript in Latin that was discovered by Antonio Ceriani in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan in the mid-nineteenth century and published by him in 1861.-Identification:The...
apocrypha offers a detailed account of the assumption and transfiguration of Moses.
Transfiguration of Mary
Lumen GentiumLumen Gentium
Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, is one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council. This dogmatic constitution was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,151 to 5...
states that the Immaculate Virgin [...] was exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe, that she might be the more fully confimed to her Son, the Lord of lords and the conqueror of sin and death.
Transfiguration of humanity as a whole
In Christian eschatologyChristian eschatology
Christian eschatology is a major branch of study within Christian theology. Eschatology, from two Greek words meaning last and study , is the study of the end of things, whether the end of an individual life, the end of the age, or the end of the world...
, eternal life is said to be the transfiguration of all of humanity.
Buddhism
The BuddhaBuddha
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
is said to have been twice transfigured, at the moment of his enlightenment
Enlightenment (spiritual)
Enlightenment in a secular context often means the "full comprehension of a situation", but in spiritual terms the word alludes to a spiritual revelation or deep insight into the meaning and purpose of all things, communication with or understanding of the mind of God, profound spiritual...
and at the moment of his death.
Gurdjieff's Fourth Way
P.D. Ouspensky recounts an episode where he claims that he and other onlookers experienced a change in the aspect of Gurdjieff while seated in a railway carriageTransfiguration of demons
In demonologyDemonology
Demonology is the systematic study of demons or beliefs about demons. It is the branch of theology relating to superhuman beings who are not gods. It deals both with benevolent beings that have no circle of worshippers or so limited a circle as to be below the rank of gods, and with malevolent...
, some high-ranking demons, such as Lucifer, are said to have been able to shapeshift in order to deceive people.