'Engaku' and 'dokkaku' are differentiated particularly in the Tendai sect - the former being one enlightened through contemplation on the twelve-linked chain of causation in the world of Buddha and the latter, one who attains enlightenment observing such ge-en as scattering of blossoms and falling leaves (natural phenomena) in the world of no Buddha.
特に天台宗では、仏の世で十二因縁を観じて覚ったものを「縁覚」、無仏の世で飛花落葉などの外縁を観じて覚ったものを「独覚」と区分している。