Taking a middle path

Finally, it dawned upon him that physical austerity is one of the two extremes, and that the 'Middle Way between these two extremes is the path to enlightenment. He thus slowly rose, and went to bathe in the stream. He crossed over to the far bank where he met a village girl named Sujata who offered him a bowl of rice pudding (kheer). It was the first food he had accepted in years.

Enlightenment

One night In 535 BCE, at the age of 35, he was seated underneath a large tree, later known as the Bodhi tree (species Pipal or ficus religious, the tree of awakening). He began to experience some major spiritual breakthroughs:

• During the first watch of the night
  • he developed the ability to recall the events of his previous reincarnations in detail.
• During the second watch,
  • he was able to see how the good and bad deeds that many living entities performed during their lifetimes led to the nature of their subsequent reincarnation into their next life.
• During the third watch,
  • he learned that he had progressed beyond "spiritual defilements," craving, desire, hatred, hunger, thirst, exhaustion, fear, doubt, and delusions.
  • He had attained nirvana. He would never again be reincarnated into a future life.
  • He had attained enlightenment. "He became a savior, deliverer, and redeemer."
  • Buddhist legend tells that at first the Buddha was happy to dwell within this state, but Brahma, king of the gods, asked, on behalf of the whole world, that he should share his understanding with others.
  • The Mahabodhi Temple at the site of Buddha's enlightenment, is now a pilgrimage site.

After enlightenment

He assumed the title Lord Buddha (one who has awakened; the one who has attained enlightenment by himself). For seven days, he puzzled over his future

• Whether to withdraw from the world and live a life of seclusion
• Whether to reenter the world and teach his Middle Way.

He decided on the latter course: to proclaim his Dharma (teachings) to other humans so that they could also attain enlightenment.

Buddha set in motion the "wheel of teaching": rather than worshipping one god or gods, Buddhism centers around the timeless importance of the teaching, or the dharma. For the next 45 years of his life the Buddha taught many disciples, who became Arahants or "noble ones", who had attained Enlightenment for themselves.

First sermon

• He located five of his fellow seekers with whom he had earlier fasted, and rejoined them near Benares. They quickly became aware of the changes brought about by his enlightenment.
• It was to them that he preached his first sermon. It contained the essential teachings of Buddhism.
• All five accepted his teachings and were ordained as monks. After the Buddha's second sermon, all five achieved enlightenment. They are referred to as Arhants (saints).