and four other companions, believing that he had abandoned his search and become undisciplined, left. After a reputed 49 days of meditation, at the age of 35, he is said to have attained . According to some traditions, this occurred in approximately the fifth lunar month, while, according to others, it was in the twelfth month. From that time, Gautama was known to his followers as the Buddha or "Awakened One" ("Buddha" is also sometimes translated as "The Enlightened One"). He is often referred to in Buddhism as Shakyamuni Buddha, or "The Awakened One of the Shakya Clan." According to Buddhism, at the time of his awakening he realized complete insight into the cause of suffering, and the steps necessary to eliminate it. These discoveries became known as the "",[46] which are at the heart of Buddhist teaching. Through mastery of these truths, a state of supreme liberation, or , is believed to be possible for any being. The Buddha described Nirvāna as the perfect peace of a mind that's free from ignorance, greed, hatred and other afflictive states,[46] or "defilements" (kilesas). Nirvana is also regarded as the "end of the world", in that no personal identity or boundaries of the mind remain. In such a state, a being is said to possess the , belonging to every Buddha. According to a story in the (Samyutta Nikaya VI.1) — a scripture found in the and other — immediately after his awakening, the Buddha debated whether or not he should teach the to others. He was concerned that humans were so overpowered by ignorance, greed and hatred that they could never recognise the path, which is subtle, deep and hard to grasp. However, in the story, convinced him, arguing that at least some will understand it. The Buddha relented, and agreed to teach. 8. Formation of the sangha
One of the duties of the lay followers, as taught by the Buddha, is to look after the needs of the monk/nuns. They are to see that the monk/nuns do not suffer from lack of the four requisites: food, clothing, shelter and medicine. As neither monks nor nuns are allowed to have an occupation, they depend entirely on the laity for their sustenance. In return for this charity, they are expected to lead exemplary lives. In Burma and Thailand, the monastery was and is still regarded as a seat of learning. In fact today about half of the primary schools in Thailand are located in monasteries. Religious rituals and ceremonies held in a monastery are always accompanied by social activities. In times of crisis, it is to the monks that people bring their problems for counsel. Traditionally, a ranking monk will deliver a sermon four times a month: when the moon waxes and wanes and the day before the new and full moons. The laity also have a chance to learn meditation from the monks during these times. It is also possible for a lay disciple to become enlightened. As Bhikkhu Bodhi notes, "The Suttas and commentaries do record a few cases of lay disciples attaining the final goal of Nirvana. However, such disciples either attain Arahantship on the brink of death or enter the monastic order soon after their attainment. They do not continue to dwell at home as Arahant householders, for dwelling at home is incompatible with the state of one who has severed all craving." 56. Monastic practices A Buddhist Monk chants evening prayers inside a monastery located near the town of , . The practices usually vary in different sub-schools and monasteries within Theravada. But in the most orthodox forest monastery, the monk usually models his practice and lifestyle on that of the Buddha and his first generation of disciples by living close to nature in forest, mountains and caves.
Consciousness - () tongue-consciousness, intellect-consciousness. This is called consciousness. As seen earlier,[6] consciousness and the organ cannot function without each other. 4. - () Six sense media - () Feeling,[d] perception, intention, contact, and attention: This is called name. The four great elements,[h] and the body dependent on the four great elements: This is called form. 5. Six sense media - () Contact - () The eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind are the six sense media. 6. Contact - () Feeling - () The coming together of the object, the sense medium and the consciousness of that sense medium is called contact. 7. Feeling (Sensation) - () Craving - () Feeling or sensations are of six forms: , , sensation, sensation, sensation, and intellectual sensation (thought). 8. Craving - () Clinging/sustenance - () There are these six forms of cravings: cravings with respect to forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touch (massage, sex, pain), and ideas. 9. - () Becoming () These four are clingings: sensual clinging, view clinging, practice clinging, and self clinging 10. Becoming - () Birth - () These three are becoming: sensual becoming, form becoming, formless becoming 11. Birth - () Aging, death, and this entire mass of ) - ()