Buddhism
The Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya
· 8 min read
How Siddhartha defeated Mara and attained complete enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.
The Context
After six years of search, Siddhartha reached Bodh Gaya. He accepted an offering from Sujata.
The Great Sitting
Siddhartha sat under the Bodhi Tree.
The Three Vigils
He attained three knowledges: pubbenivasanussati-nana (past lives), cutupapada-nana (death and rebirth), asavakkhaya-nana (end of contaminations).
The Struggle with Mara
Mara tried to prevent the enlightenment. Siddhartha touched the earth as witness (bhumisparsha mudra).
Sources
- Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (SN 56.11)
- Mahavagga of the Vinaya Pitaka
- Modern research by Richard Gombrich
Tradition
Universal. The enlightenment is celebrated on May 1 (Vesak).
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