King Bimbisara |
|
Siddhattha traveled from the
Anoma river to Rajagaha, the capital of Magadha. He impressed
the populace with his distinguished and graceful manner and
King Bimbisara got to
hear of his presence. The King went to Pandava Hill, were
Siddhattha was staying, and offered him a share
of his kingdom. Siddhattha declined saying he was
after enlightenment. Bimbisara asked him to return to Rajagaha
when he had found it.
|
|
 |
Siddhattha traveled on spending
time with two famous teachers
of the time - Alara Kalama and Udakka Ramaputta. They taught
him everything they knew and Siddhattha quickly mastered their
knowledge. They led him into ever deeper states of consciousness
but somehow Siddhattha knew that this was not the true liberation
he sought. They both offered him shared leadership of their
communities but he declined.
|
|
Two teachers
|
Five ascetics
see also [§] & [§] |
It was customary for truth seekers
to undertake a range of renunciate, ascetic
practices and Siddhattha tried this. He met with
a group of five others. Kondanna was the youngest of the 8 Brahmins
[§] at the earlier naming ceremony.
The other four were sons of the other Brahmins - so Kondanna
was the eldest of the five (follow that?). He became increasingly
weak and taking a bath one day almost
drowned. 'What use is this?' he thought, and decided
to eat more regularly and take better care of his body.
|
|
|
Sujata offers
Siddhattha a bowl of milk rice. His five companions are disappointed,
thinking that he has given up his quest. They leave in disgust.
Siddhattha's strength returns and he is confident that his goal
is near. Going down to the river he floats the bowl lid on the
water and says: 'If I am ever to truly find a way to go against
the stream of ignorance in which I am caught then let this lid
float upstream.' It did. Hey! Getting exciting
now, isn't it.
|
|
Sujata - Milk rice
|
Kusa grass |
|
Sottiya the grass cutter meets
Siddhattha and offers him some kusa
grass to make a seat. This he does under the Bodhi
Tree.
|
|
|
|
Seated in meditation Siddhattha
made the determination -'Even if my blood should run dry I will
not leave this seat until truth has been realised!' He recalled
his innocent meditation
under the Rose Apple tree and thought this would be a good way
to start. And then ... Mara came!
All that is beautiful, alluring and pleasant - and all that
is terrifying, monstrous and fearful. 'What right have you to
pretend you are sitting on the throne of enlightenment?' Mara
boomed, surrounded by his great army.
|
|
Mara's challenge,
Earth's witness
|
Enlightenment |
|
Sitting under the Bodhi tree
on the full moon of May in his 35th year, Siddhattha became
enlightened. Ignorance was dispelled and wisdom arose. He
knew: 'Delivered am I, rebirth is ended, fulfilled
is the holy life, I have done what was to be done.'
|
|
|
|
After enlightenment the Buddha
continued sitting under the Bodhi Tree. Two merchants, Tapussa
and Bhalluka, passed by and stopped to offer food. The Buddha
merged four bowls into one to receive the food. So impressed
were they with the Buddha's countenance that they took refuge
and became the very first lay Buddhists. It was just after this
that the Brahma god Sahampati begged the
Buddha to teach - 'as there are those with only a little dust
in their eyes.'
|
|
Two merchants
& Sahampati
|
MAPS - The Buddha lived and taught
in the area known as the Ganges Plain, a vast area in Northern India. |
|
INTRODUCTION | YOUTH
| ENLIGHTENMENT | TEACHING
| FINALE | OTHER
VERSIONS |
