Holy Sites of Buddhism: Bodh Gaya - Place of Enlightenment Seat of Enlightenment: The Diamond Throne, Vajrasana. "Bodh Gaya is the place where Gautama Buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment. It is a place which should be visited or seen by a person of devotion and which would cause awareness and apprehension of the nature of impermanence". Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha-to-be, had been dwelling on the banks of the Nairanjana River with five ascetic followers for six years practicing austerities. Realising that austerities could not lead to realisation he abandoned them. His five ascetic companions disgusted at his seeming failure, deserted him and left for Sarnath. He then moved towards the village of Senani where he was offered rice milk by a Brahmin girl, Sujata. Accepting from a grass-cutter a gift of kusa grass for a mat, the Bodhisattva took a seat under a pipal tree facing east. Here he resolved not to rise again until enlightenment was attained.

"Here on this seat my body may shrivel up, my skin, my bones, my flesh may dissolve, but my body will not move from this seat until I have attained Enlightenment, so difficult to obtain in the course of many kalpas". As Gautama sat in deep meditation, Mara, Lord of Illusion, perceiving that his power was about to be broken, rushed to distract him from his purpose. The Bodhisattva touched the earth, calling it to bear witness the countless lifetimes of virtue that had led him to this place of enlightenment. When the earth shook, confirming the truth of Gautama's words, Mara unleashed his army of demons. In the epic battle that ensued, Gautama's wisdom broke through the illusions and the power of his compassion transformed the demons' weapons into flowers and Mara and all his forces fled in disarray. The Maha Bodhi Temple The historical place at which the Enlightenment took place became a place of pilgrimage. Though it is not mentioned in the scriptures, the Buddha must have visited Bodh Gaya again in the course of his teaching career. About 250 years after the Enlightenment, the Buddhist Emperor, Ashoka visited the site and is considered the founder of the Mahabodhi Temple.

According to the tradition, Ashoka, as well as establishing a monastery, erected a diamond throne shrine at this spot with a canopy supported by four pillars over a stone representation of the Vajrasana, the Seat of Enlightenment. The temple's architecture is superb but its history is shrouded in obscurity. It was constructed with the main intention of making it a monument and not a receptacle for the relics of the Buddha. Several shrines were constructed with enshrined images for use as places of worship. The basement of the present temple is 15m square, 15m in length as well as in breadth and its height is 52m which rises in the form of a slender pyramid tapering off from a square platform. On its four corners four towers gracefully rise to some height. The whole architectural plan gives pose and balance to the observers. Inside the temple there is a colossal image of the Buddha in the "touching the ground pose", bhumisparsha mudra. This image is said to be 1700 years old and is facing east exactly at the place where the Buddha in meditation with his back to the Bodhi tree was enlightened.

The Bodhi Tree For seven days after the Enlightenment, the Buddha continued to meditate under the Bodhi tree without moving from his seat. During the second week he practiced walking meditation. A jewel walk, Chankramanar, was built as a low platform adorned with nineteen lotuses which are parallel to the Maha Bodhi temple on its north side. For another week the Buddha contemplated the Bodhi tree. In this place a stupa was built called Animeschalochana situated to the north of the Chankramanar. On the back of the main temple situated to the west (see picture) there is an ancient pipal tree Ficus religiosa or Bodhi tree. It was under this tree that Gautama sat for enlightenment. The present tree is considered only as the descendant of the original tree. There is a tradition that Ashoka's wife had it secretly cut down because she became jealous of the time Ashoka spent there. But it grew again and a protective wall was also built at the time. Many sacred trees in India and other countries are originally raised from seeds brought from the ancient Bodh Gaya tree. A shoot of the original Bodhi tree was taken to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century B.C.

by Bhikkhuni Sangamitta, daughter of Ashoka, where the Lankan king Devanampiyatissa planted it at the Mahavihara monastery in Anuradhapura where it still flourishes today. While the Vajrasana was the specific site of the enlightenment, the Bodhi tree, closely linked to the Buddha's accomplishment, became a central focus of devotion early in the history of the Sangha. Pilgrims sought the Bodhi Tree's seeds and leaves as blessings for their monasteries and homes. Around the Bodhi tree and the Mahbodhi temple there are quadrangular stone railings around 0.2m high with four bars including the top piece. These are of two types and can be distinguished from each other in style and material used. The older set is dated to about 150 BC and made of sandstone while the latter set is probably of the Gupta period (300-600 AD) and constructed from course granite.

The older set has a number of designs representing scenes from the purchase of Jetavana by Ananthapindika at Sravasti, Lakshmi being bathed by elephants, Surya riding a chariot drawn by four horses, etc. On the latter set there are figures of stupas, Garudas, etc. In most of these railings lotus motifs are commonly used. Bodhgaya Revitalised Since 1953, Bodh Gaya has been developed as an international place of pilgrimage. Buddhists from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Tibet, Bhutan and Japan have established monasteries and temples within easy walking distance of the Mahabodhi compound. The site of the enlightenment now attracts Buddhists and tourists from all over the world. At any time during the cooler months between December and March, a visitor to Bodh Gaya can observe a continual stream of Indian and international pilgrims walking the roads or arriving in buses, circumambulating the temple, performing prostrations and offering prayers in a multitude of languages. For those who aspire to awaken their full potential, Bodh Gaya today is truly a field vibrant with the potentiality of enlightenment.

Enriched by devotion of Buddhists of all traditions, this holy site is emerging as a powerful inspiration to the modern world, awakening people of all nations to the real possibility of enlightenment. Copyright © 2008 - BDEA Inc. & BuddhaNet. All rights reserved. Buddhist Studies: Primary Level Unit 3. Under the Bodhi Tree » Buddhist Studies » Primary Level » UNIT 3: Under the Bodhi Tree In this unit: After leaving the palace, Siddhartha was determined to discover the meaning of existence. He studied with the best teachers of the day, and lived the hard life of an ascetic. Yet he didn't feel any closer to the Truth. The turning point came when he almost died of hunger. Soon after that, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. At the age of 29, Siddhartha began the homeless life of a monk. From Kapilavatthu, he walked south to the city of Rajagaha, the capital of the Magadha country. The king of this country was named Bimbisara.

The morning after Siddhartha arrived, he went to the city and obtained his meal for the day by going from house-to-house begging with an alms-bowl. Searching for Teachers Siddhartha wandered along the Ganges River looking for spiritual teachers. Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta were considered to be the best teachers in meditation at that time so Siddhartha went to study with them. First he studied under Uddaka Ramaputta, then under Alara Kalama. Very soon he had learnt all they had to teach, but he had not learnt to end suffering. He said to himself, "I must find the truth on my own". Six Years of Hardship With his five friends, Siddhartha went to a forest near the village of Uruvela. Here, several holy men were living in and tormenting themselves with extreme poverty. They believed that if they put their bodies through terrible physical hardship, they would understand the truth. Some slept on a bed of nails. Some stood on their head. They all ate so little they were just skin and bones. Siddhartha found a quiet spot on the banks of a nearby river. There he practised the most severe hardship.

He slept on a bed of thorns. He ate only one grain of wheat and one sesame seed a day. At other times, he would eat nothing at all. His body wasted away until there was only a layer of thin skin covering his bones. Birds made nests in his matted hair and layers of dust covered his dried-up body. Siddhartha sat completely still, not even brushing away insects. The Song of the Lute One evening, a group of young girls on their way home passed by Siddhartha who was sitting in meditation. They were playing lutes, a musical instrument, and singing. He thought, "When the strings of the lute are loose, its sound won't carry. When the strings are too tight, it breaks. When the strings are neither too loose nor too tight, the music is beautiful. I'm pulling my strings too tightly. I cannot find the Way to Truth living a life of luxury or with my body so weak." Thus, he decided to give up self-torture. He came to know that this was not the correct way. Soon after, while bathing in the river, Siddhartha was so weak that he fainted and fell.

Sujata, a young village girl who lived by the river, saw him and brought him a bowl of rice and milk. After his meal, he immediately felt stronger and continued his meditation. When his five companions saw him eat, they were disgusted, thinking he'd given up. So they left him. The Sun of Enlightenment Shines Siddhartha remembered meditating under the rose-apple tree when he was a child. "I shall meditate as I did before. Perhaps that is the way to become enlightened." From then on he began to eat daily. Still seeking a way to understand the meaning of life, Siddhartha set out for Buddhagaya. Near a grove, he sat down under a huge Bodhi tree. Silently he vowed, "Even if my flesh and blood were to dry up, leaving only skin and bones, I will not leave this place until I find a way to end all sorrow." He sat there for forty nine days. He was determined to discover the source of all pain and suffering in the world. Mara, the evil one, tried to scare him into giving up his quest. For instance, he hoped to lure Siddhartha into having selfish thoughts by sending visions of his very beautiful daughters.

But the Buddha's goodness protected him from such attacks. During this period, Siddhartha was able to see things as they truly were. Now he had finally found the answer to suffering: "The cause of suffering is greed, selfishness and stupidity. If people get rid of these negative emotions, they will be happy." During a full-moon night in May, Siddhartha went into deep meditation. As the morning star appeared in the eastern sky, he became an enlightened one, a Buddha. He was thirty five years old. When the Buddha stood up at last, he gazed at the tree in gratitude, to thank it for having given him shelter. From then on, the tree was known as the Bodhi tree, the tree of Enlightenment. How did Gautama Buddha reach Enlightenment (Nirvana)? - YouTube How did Gautama Buddha reach Enlightenment (Nirvana)? Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Mar 4, 2008 Category What’s under the Bodhi tree?

– ancient way What’s under the Bodhi tree? by Hōkō Karnegis Recently there has been news about the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, where Siddhartha gained enlightenment and became a Buddha. The tree is dropping its leaves prematurely; one reason may be that there are so many visitors and pilgrims coming to the site that their feet are compacting the soil and water can’t get to the roots. Shrine officials say they may have to put a cap on the number of people visiting the Bodha tree at any given time. Why do so many people want to visit this tree that it’s being loved to death? If you’ve heard the story of the Buddha’s awakening, you know that he spent six years practicing austerities, trying to wake up. He realized this wasn’t the way, ate some food and sat down under a tree, vowing not to get up until he had reached awakening: Here on this seat my body may shrivel up, my skin, my bones, my flesh may dissolve, but my body will not move from this seat until I have attained enlightenment, so difficult to obtain in the course of many kalpas. ( The Lalitavistara Sutra, Vol.

II (p. 439) ) After seven days of sitting and of enduring various trials and challenges, Siddhartha woke up and the tree under which he sat became known as the Bodhi tree (Bodhi means “awake”). It served as a symbol for the Buddha’s presence, because in the first few centuries CE he was not depicted in human form in art and sculpture. Like so much about our tradition, we don’t really know what’s historically accurate. The Bodhi tree was also associated with Vishnu, the Vedic god whose meditation holds the universe together, so this kind of tree had a spiritual association in India even before the time of the Buddha. Throughout history, stories are sometimes written or amended to depict Buddhism as impressive and influential, and the awakening story under the Bodhi tree too could have been constructed to make use of the the pre-existing connection with powerful meditation. Of course, the connection worked both ways; in the Vedic tradition, Buddha was said to be one of Vishnu’s ten avatars. Regardless of historical accuracy, the Bodhi tree remains a powerful element for us in our practice today. What does it mean for us to sit under the Bodhi tree? The Lotus Sutra (p.

401) describes a Buddha’s awakening: . . . the king of a nation Forsakes his palace, his followers, And the five desires for the superior and fine, [food, sleep, sex, money, fame] And he goes to a place of the truth. At the foot of a bodhi tree, He sits on the lion seat, Pursues the truth for seven days, And attains the wisdom of the buddhas. Going to a place of the truth at the foot of a Bodhi tree is exactly what we’re doing every time we sit zazen. We go to a place of truth which is this very cushion. This is where we drop all of our artifice and illusions and delusions and self-concepts, because we don’t need any of them. When we take the zazen posture, this is just reality as it is, beyond human and Buddha. As Issho Fujita has written, for the time that we’re on the cushion, we’re not doing anything in the service of being human beings. We’re not using our hands and feet for anything that creates identity or self. We’re not using our brains to come up with ideas about how to be better or happier or sexier or more powerful human beings.

Thus in that moment we are Buddha — we just are, reality itself, 100% human being and 100% Buddha. The cushion becomes a place of truth. It’s not about “someone” looking for “truth,” trying to find or create something that is not already here. The place of truth is zazen or awakening itself. The Lotus Sutra also says that Buddha sits on the lion seat. In Indian culture, the lion is associated with royalty and divinity, indicating strength and power. The Buddha preaches the dharma without fear, and this is sometimes called the lion’s roar. Under the Bodhi tree is a place of truth from which we fearlessly manifest and proclaim the dharma. That doesn’t mean we’re putting aside our deep-seated fear of public speaking and giving a dharma talk. For us, fearlessly proclaiming the dharma from our seats on the cushion can mean having the courage to just be ourselves. It can be a bit scary to put aside all the usual habitual stuff we do to protect our public image. We want people to like and respect us, and if people see who we really are, we might feel foolish or embarrassed.

However, the more we sit and the more clearly we see the true nature of self, the less we need to worry about shoring up our self concept. We can just fearlessly BE the dharma right in the middle of our sitting — we don’t need to do anything else. Dogen Zenji likened our wholehearted practice to sutras written on leaves from the Bodhi tree. In Shobogenzo Bukkyo (p. 32), he wrote: From the first, doing one’s utmost in practice within the Sangha and diligently doing zazen are Buddhist Scriptures, and they are Buddhist Scriptures right to the end. They are Scriptures written on leaves from the Bodhi tree; they are Scriptures written upon the vast expanse of sky. Zazen and sangha practice are sutras written on leaves from the Bodhi tree! They come from the place of truth and they reflect that truth. Zazen and sangha practice are nothing more or less than complete manifestations of the dharma. They are the lion’s roar — the leaves of the tree of awakening. There’s one more important aspect of the Bodhi tree for us in our practice.

It provided a place of shelter for the Buddha as he sat for a week dealing with all the distractions Mara threw at him. We too need to have a place of shelter for our practice. It’s hot in India, and Siddartha found a shaded, protected spot in which to sit. We need to create a good safe practice place for ourselves, too. There is the physical side; we need to be out of the rain and snow, to have heat or cool, enough light, enough space, few distractions, and a cushion or bench to take care of the body and the posture. There’s also the intangible side; the space should feel good and be a place of quiet and respect, where we can settle and take practice seriously. If we’re so inclined, we can invoke beings or archetypes to help and protect us, or put something in the practice space that provides inspiration. Keizan Zenji (p. 140) wrote: Do not practice zazen where it is extremely light or extremely dark, extremely cold or extremely hot, or near pleasure seekers and seductive distractions. You can stay in the meditation hall with a good master, deep in the mountains and secluded valleys.

Green waters and verdant mountains are the place for walking in meditation; by the streams and under the trees are places to clear the mind. Do not forget the sight of impermanence, which encourages the mind to seek the Way. . . . If incense is always burned and flowers are offered, the good gods who protect the Dharma and the Buddhas and bodhisattvas will cast their shadows and stand guard. If you put images of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and arhats there, no devil or demon can trouble you. Even if we’re not doing zazen in the woods, we can imagine ourselves sitting under the bodhi tree, arranging our mats and cushions, taking the zazen posture and manifesting truth, perhaps under the protection of powerful beings. We’ve each got our own Bodhi tree, wherever we sit. Hōkō Karnegis Ancient Way editor Hōkō Karnegis is the vice abbot of Sanshin Zen Community in Bloomington, IN. She has also served as communications director at Hokyoji Zen Practice Community in southern Minnesota since October, 2013; previously, she was the interim practice director at Milwaukee Zen Center .

For more about Hōkō, please visit her website or Facebook page . tree of enlightenment - A photo I took while sitting under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya Imagine… You’re sitting next to the MahaBodhi Temple, only meters away from the very spot where the Buddha gained full enlightenment. You take in a few deep breaths and look up at the beautiful heart-shaped Bodhi tree leaves moving gently in the breeze above you. There is a feeling of wonder and excitement in the air, knowing that this was the place where the Buddha sat in meditation and achieved a great awakening 2,600 years ago. You bring your body into a meditation posture and feel a rush of anticipation as you reflect on the promise of what your meditation may bring. Many wondrous things have happened in this special place. Who’s to say that something wonderful couldn’t happen to you as well?

Buddhism: Buddha and the Three Gems 1 , 2, 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 “Buddha” is a general term for a person who has attained enlightenment, so Siddhattha Gotama, the founder of Buddhism and the person whose teachings are here described, is properly referred to as “the Buddha”. Siddhattha Gotama in a small kingdom in what is now Nepal. As an adult he renounced his family and possessions and attempted to attain enlightenment. He tried teachers and self-mortification but was unsuccessful, and finally gained enlightenment through meditation. This he accomplished while sitting under a bodhi tree and Thai temples usually have one of these trees, sometimes with a statue of the Buddha sitting under it. terms - Bo tree | tree | Britannica.com Bo tree Alternative Titles: Bodhi tree, Ficus religiosa, peepul, pipal, pipal tree Similar Topics banyan Bo tree, also called Bodhi tree , according to Buddhist tradition, the pipal (Ficus religiosa) under which the Buddha sat when he attained Enlightenment (Bodhi) at Bodh Gaya (near Gaya, west-central Bihar state, India).

A living pipal at Anuradhapura , Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), is said to have grown from a cutting from the Bo tree sent to that city by King Ashoka in the 3rd century bc. See Ficus . Learn More in these related articles: Ficus a group of about 900 species of trees, shrubs, and vines, commonly called figs. Native primarily to tropical areas of East Asia, they are distributed throughout the world’s tropics. Many are tall forest trees that are buttressed by great spreading roots; others are planted as ornamentals. Buddha c. 6th–4th century bce Lumbini, near Kapilavastu, Shakya republic, Kosala kingdom [now in Nepal] Kusinara, Malla republic, Magadha kingdom [now Kasia, India] the founder of Buddhism, one of the major religions and philosophical systems of southern and eastern Asia. Buddha is one of the many... Ashoka 238? bce India last major emperor in the Mauryan dynasty of India. His vigorous patronage of Buddhism during his reign (c. 265–238 bce; also given as c.

273–232 bce) furthered the expansion of that religion throughout India. Following his successful but bloody conquest of the Kalinga... 3 References found in Britannica Articles Assorted References presence of lac deposits (in lac ) External Links Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions.

Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Close Date Published: March 10, 2005 URL: Access Date: January 17, 2017 Share Bodhgaya: The Highlight of My First Buddhist Pilgrimage Bodhgaya: The Highlight of My First Buddhist Pilgrimage A photo I took while sitting under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya Imagine… You’re sitting next to the MahaBodhi Temple, only meters away from the very spot where the Buddha gained full enlightenment. You take in a few deep breaths and look up at the beautiful heart-shaped Bodhi tree leaves moving gently in the breeze above you. There is a feeling of wonder and excitement in the air, knowing that this was the place where the Buddha sat in meditation and achieved a great awakening 2,600 years ago.

You bring your body into a meditation posture and feel a rush of anticipation as you reflect on the promise of what your meditation may bring. Many wondrous things have happened in this special place. Who’s to say that something wonderful couldn’t happen to you as well? As a slight breeze touches your face, it brings a light fragrance of incense from some nearby offerings. The soft chanting of devotees reaches your ears, but it doesn’t distract you, instead only serving to inspire you more. Practitioners have their mind tuned to the same frequency here, of mutual respect to the qualities of the Buddha’s compassion and wisdom, with many wanting to improve themselves and bring greater benefit to the world. Thoughts of home life drift off into the far away distance as you sit in the inner sanctum of the temple grounds. With your mind turned inwards and with one-pointed concentration, you begin your practice which cleanses the mind and nourishes your heart… …… This is the type of experience many of us have had when we’ve spent time in Bodhgaya in India. For Buddhists around the world, there is nothing more unique and extraordinary than having the opportunity to meditate in the same place where the Buddha became enlightened.

It’s said that the blessings of merely visiting this site is innumerable, and that’s even before we do any practice! Being in such a place seems to energize people. It can certainly feel that way. Suddenly everyone seems to be an early riser, meditating at dawn. Notably the Thai monks will bring their mosquito nets into the temple at night and set them up with the aim of meditating all throughout the night. You can’t help but feel inspired by their diligence. A monk prays beside the Mahabodi Stupa Hundreds of Buddhist practitioners from all different Buddhist traditions come together in Bodhgaya. You can see a variety of monks and nuns creating a rainbow of maroon, orange, pink, brown, yellow and grey robes, all circling the place where the Buddha sat in meditation. Here the differences in traditions are seen but they blend harmoniously with their united love for the Buddha, his qualities and his achievements. Bodhgaya is one of my favorite places in this world. I started saying that back in 1998 when I was 19 and on my first Buddhist pilgrimage.

I really didn’t know a thing about Buddhism at that time, only that there was someone named Buddha who achieved some kind of liberation through meditation. For four days I sat with my relatives, among hundreds of monks, as they chanted for hours under the Bodhi tree (the tree of enlightenment). I remember feeling light, peaceful and carefree during this time. I felt strangely at home among the monks as I meditated and I found my mind easily becoming stable, focused and free of thoughts. I actually thought I was doing something wrong; for a 19 year old, having a mind free of thoughts seemed almost boring! Still uncertain of what to make of my experiences in Bodhgaya, I remember on the last night before we left, I knelt at the foot of the Bodhi tree where the Buddha had meditated, and on a whim I decided to pray to the Buddha – that if he really did exist and if he thought Buddhism might be a path I should follow – would he mind giving me some kind of sign? It may simply have been a coincidence, but just as I made that wish, a sudden wind blew up and a Bodhi leaf fell down in front of me.

In Bodhgaya, usually when a Bodhi leaf falls to the ground many pilgrims will scramble to get it because it is considered a blessing. But when I looked up to see if anyone was going to claim it, no one did. So I picked up this leaf and carefully brought it back with me. In fact it’s the same leaf you see framed in my videos behind me. For me this leaf reminds me of what the Buddha achieved under the Bodhi tree and I guess it is also a nice memento of my time in Bodhgaya, the first time I ever really tried to meditate. But what I really took away from my time in Bodhgaya was the lasting impression it left on me. I think the tranquility I experienced there – and dare I say the energy of the place – is why it’s a place unlike anywhere else I’ve traveled to around the world. And perhaps this is why I’ve been drawn back there time and time again on three more Buddhist pilgrimages as well as why I did a two-month retreat there. I simply cannot get enough of this place.

And this is also why, when planning the itinerary for our Buddhist pilgrimage this year, I wanted to make sure that I gave people plenty of time to spend there. Every time I’ve been on pilgrimage, people have always said the same thing, “I wish I could have spent more time in Bodhgaya”. I know exactly what they mean; even as I’m leaving I’m always wondering how soon I can return. I hope one day you might also have the opportunity to visit this very special site of Bodhgaya. It’s a place that can touch everyone, no matter who you are – the faithful or simply a curious traveler. …… If you would like to join me on a Buddhist pilgrimage and spend some time in this and many other amazing locations relevant to the Buddha’s life, you can find out more about our pilgrimage at . The Story of Buddha's Enlightenment The Story of Buddha's Enlightenment Buddhism began almost 2,500 years ago. The foundation of Buddhism rests on the life of one teacher; an Indian prince named Siddhartha Gotama. Prince Siddhartha grew up in small kingdom in northeast India, an area which now rests in Nepal. His father, King Sudhodana, ruled over the Shakya people.

Although the King hoped his son would carry on his legacy, the prince had a very different calling; one which made him one of history's most famous and influential figures. In order to understand the principals of Buddhism, one must begin with the life of its founder. The deeds and words of Lord Buddha are the source and inspiration behind this popular faith. As you read the story of Buddha's enlightenment given below and on the following pages, be sure to locate all place names on the map titled Places in the Life of Buddha. Prince Siddhartha was born around 563 BCE, son of King Sudhodana and Queen Maya. Even before the birth, the queen had premonitions of great happenings. Legend tells that in her dreams a radiant white elephant descended from the sky. As the elephant descended, its six large tusks pierced the queen's womb, and she was filled with light. That morning, the king and queen sought the counsel of the wise, for this was no ordinary dream. The fortunetellers explained that the queen would give birth to a son, and he would be a great leader. The couple was overjoyed at hearing this. King Sudhodana was thrilled, for now he would have a successor.

About ten months later, on the full moon night, in the Indian month of Vaisakha (May/June), Queen Maya was on her way to her father's house in the town of Lumbini. Suddenly, she halted her escorts, descended from her carriage, and entered a lush, beautiful garden. There she gave birth to a son. Legends tell of the sacred silence which anointed the garden that night and of a peace which flowed throughout the land. The royal couple decided to name the baby Siddhartha, which means "the one who brings all good." News of the prince's birth spread, and there was much celebration. Many visitors came to pay tribute to Siddhartha. One of these visitors was the holy sage, Asita. Asita told the parents that the prince would be either a great king or a great saint. Then something strange happened. When Asita's eyes met the infant's, the sage began to weep. This worried the king and queen, but Asita explained that these were bittersweet tears he shed for himself, for he saw that this indeed was a special child, one who could lead others to peace.

Now the holy man wept because, after a lifetime of searching, he would not live to hear Siddhartha's teachings. Both the king and queen were happy, but Sudhodana wanted to be certain that his son became a great emperor, not a saint. Therefore, he set out to give Siddhartha all he could desire. But the couple's joy was quickly ended when Queen Maya shortly became seriously ill. Within seven days of giving birth, she lay on her bed dying. She asked her sister, Prajapati, to mother her son. Prajapati consented. Soon afterwards, the queen passed away. Prajapati raised Siddhartha as though he were her own son, and the prince lived a carefree childhood within the palace walls. King Sudhodana made certain that the boy received the finest education, for Asita's prophecy remained with him. The prince learned quickly. In fact, legend has it that after only a few lessons he had no need of teachersï¿½he had learned all they could teach him. As Siddhartha grew, his intelligence was matched with a compassionate gentleness. Unlike his peers, he spent a great deal of time alone, wandering the palace gardens.

He did not participate in the common games of boys but sought the company of animals and nature. It was on one of these garden days that the prince came upon a wounded white swan, an arrow still piercing its wing. He removed the arrow and comforted the bird, tending to its wounds. Shortly thereafter, Devadatta, Siddhartha's cousin, came running. Adorned with bow and arrow, Devadatta demanded the swan he had hunted. But the Prince refused. The boys argued until they agreed to settle their dispute in the palace's court. When Devadatta came before the judges, he claimed that because he shot the bird, it should belong to him. When Siddhartha spoke, he said that he had saved the swan's life, and therefore it belonged to him. The judges sided with the prince, agreeing that the bird's savior has a greater right. Years went by, and as the prince became a young man he continued in his gentle, quiet ways. This disturbed his father, who wanted his son more involved in worldly matters. But the King's worries were allayed when Siddhartha met Princess Yasodhara, daughter of King Suprabuddha.

The young couple wanted to be married, but the neighboring king needed proof of Siddhartha's bravery and skills. Only then would he give his daughter in marriage. Although he had little experience in warrior games, the prince gladly agreed to take part in a contest against other suitors. Now even Siddhartha's father was worried. How could the prince compete against the other young men who had spent years in training? But the prince surprised everyone with his abilities. He began by winning the archery match, defeating his cousin, Devadatta. Next, he won the swordsmanship contest when, in one lightning quick stroke, he slashed through a treeï¿½a tree with two trunks! However, though the prince was powerful, it was his gentleness which won him the final contest. Each of the suitors was given an opportunity to mount a wild horse. One by one they were thrown by the wild, kicking beast. In fact, the horse was so ferocious that the judges were about to stop. But when Siddhartha approached the horse, stroking it softly and speaking kind words, the horse mellowed. The prince mounted the horse, and the contest was over. Prince Siddhartha and Princess Yasodhara were wed.

Although King Sudhodana was happy, he remained worried that his son may yet become a saint. SO, he built the newlyweds two enormous, heavenly palacesï¿½one for winter and one for summer. These dwellings were surrounded by walls. Only beautiful servants, accomplished musicians, and the finest foods were allowed in the lush, natural settings. In this way, the king hoped Siddhartha would never be disturbed or seek to go outside the palace, and for years the prince and princess lived undisturbed within the palace walls. In time, they gave birth to a son, Rahula. Now, although Siddhartha had all the luxuries in the world, he had yet to do one thing: venture outside the palace grounds. From servants he heard tales of other lands and wonders of different peoples, languages, and landscapes. A stirring began inside him. Shortly after, he asked his father's permission to visit the capital city of his kingdom. The king consented, but he ordered his subjects to hide away anyone who was ill or old and to decorate their houses in festive colors, for Sudhodana did not want any sights to trouble his son.

So, aboard his chariot the Prince entered the city of Kapilavastu. The streets, lined with onlookers, were filled with gaiety and celebration. The cheerful citizens, all of them healthy and young, showered the prince with praise. For a moment, Siddhartha was pleased, thinking that this city was like his. Amidst the crowd stood an elderly man, saddened and bent with age. In all his years, the Prince had never seen such a sight. In fact, he did not even know that people grew old. This knowledge stunned him, and when he returned to the palace, he sat alone in deep contemplation. In time, the Prince journeyed again into the city, and again the streets were lined with happy faces. However, among the citizens was a sick man, coughing and pale. In all his palace years, sickness was unknown to Siddhartha. Now, he learned of disease. He learned that anyone can fall ill at anytime. This news saddened him. But the prince's third trip to the city affected him most deeply. Riding along in his chariot, he saw a group of mourners carrying a coffin. Inside the coffin, he saw a dead man wrapped in white.

Now he learned of death and the rites of cremation. He was overwhelmed with the thought that even his beloved wife and son would someday die. Siddhartha became very depressed and spent his time alone. His father tried to cheer him, but to no avail. The prince wondered how people could live happily knowing that old age, sickness, and death awaited them. His gloom deepened, until one day he rode out again on his chariot. This time, he traveled to the countryside. There he saw a saint meditating under a tree. He learned that this hermit had exchanged all worldly pleasures to seek for truth. This man had also seen the suffering in the world and sought to go beyond it to enlightenment. Prince Siddhartha was deeply moved by the sight. He returned to the palace, sure of his calling. Siddhartha's mind was made up: he would leave his life of luxury and search for truth. Knowing he would not receive consent, that very night as everyone lay sleeping, he bid a silent farewell to his wife and son. He mounted his horse and set out for the forest in the far reaches of the land where the holy men gather.

When he arrived, he cut his long hair and donned the robe of an ascetic, a man of solitude searching for wisdom. Now, at the age of twenty-nine, his journey had begun. Prince Siddhartha spent the next six years in the forest. He studied with the most famous sages, but still he did not find an end to suffering. He joined a group of men who believed enlightenment could be found by denying the body nourishment and sleep, thereby mastering pain. For years the prince ate and slept very little. He grew as thin as a skeleton, and though the rain and sun beat down on him, he did not waver from his practices. Finally, he realized that he was getting nowhere. Though he had neglected his bodily needs, he had not found an end to suffering. Thus, when a young woman came to him offering food, he accepted. Now that he was nourished he sat in meditation under a bodhi tree in the town of Bodhgaya. He sat down and vowed, come what may, he would not move until he found an end to sorrow. Although demons tempted him with images of his past and evil spirits brought nightmares upon him, the prince was centered on his goal.

Finally, under the Tree of Enlightenment, Siddhartha became Buddha, the Enlightened One. He went on to become a great world teacher, as Asita had prophesied, and from his teachings, Buddhism was born. Places in the life of Buddha

Question: Who gained enlightenment sitting under a Bodhi tree?
Answer: Buddha