It seems like everyone has a different idea as to what qualifies as enlightenment. It isn't even just the arguments about whether it occurs in an instant or develops over a period of time; there are arguments about if it is possible to become increasingly enlightened or if it is an absolute state which a person either has or doesn't have. I have even heard it argued that it is possible to gain enlightenment only to lose it again and become unenlightened.

There are even teachers who say that everyone is already enlightened and we just need to realize it. I think that one of the Krishnamurti teachers said it, but I don't remember if it is U.G. or J. The problem is that it doesn't matter how many times people repeat it if it doesn't do anything to make anyone's lives even just a tiny bit easier to get through.