1.3 Enlightenment and the establishment of the Sangha
3 min read•july 22, 2024
's journey from prince to enlightened Buddha is a tale of transformation. Born into luxury, he left it all behind after encountering the harsh realities of life. His quest for spiritual truth led him through extreme practices before finding the .
The Buddha's awakening under the marks a pivotal moment in Buddhist history. After 49 days of deep meditation, he gained profound insights into the nature of suffering and the path to liberation, becoming the .
Siddhartha's Spiritual Journey and Enlightenment
Siddhartha's path to enlightenment
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- Siddhartha Gautama born into wealthy royal family in Lumbini (present-day Nepal) lived life of luxury and pleasure in early years
- At age 29, encountered "" during chariot ride outside palace walls that deeply affected him
- Old man represented inevitability of aging
- Sick man represented universality of illness and suffering
- Corpse represented reality of death
- Ascetic represented possibility of spiritual liberation
- Decided to renounce princely life and seek solution to problem of suffering left palace, wife, and newborn son to become wandering ascetic
- Studied and practiced with various spiritual teachers and ascetic groups mastered meditation techniques and philosophies engaged in extreme ascetic practices (prolonged fasting, self-mortification)
- After six years of , realized extreme practices not path to accepted offering of rice pudding from village girl Sujata symbolizing "Middle Way" between indulgence and extreme asceticism
Buddha's awakening under Bodhi tree
- Siddhartha sat to meditate under fig tree (later known as tree) in Bodh Gaya, India vowed not to rise until attaining enlightenment
- During meditation, faced and overcame various challenges and temptations including those posed by (personification of desire and illusion)
- After 49 days of deep meditation, attained enlightenment gaining insight into nature of suffering, its causes, and path to liberation
- Realized and
- Understood concept of and of all phenomena
- Upon enlightenment, became known as Buddha meaning "Awakened One" or "Enlightened One"
The Buddha's First Sermon and the Sangha
First sermon and Sangha formation
- After enlightenment, Buddha initially hesitated to teach believing truth too profound for others to understand
- Persuaded by god Brahma to share teachings for benefit of all beings
- Gave at Deer Park in Sarnath, near Varanasi, India known as ""
- Taught Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path forming foundation of Buddhist doctrine
- Buddha's first five disciples, who previously abandoned him when rejecting extreme asceticism, became first members of (community of Buddhist monks and nuns)
- Sangha grew as more people attracted to Buddha's teachings and decided to ordain as monks or nuns
- Provided supportive environment for spiritual practice and preservation and transmission of Buddha's teachings
- Establishment of Sangha marked beginning of Buddhist monastic tradition
- Buddha laid down rules and guidelines () for Sangha to ensure harmony, purity, and longevity
- Sangha played crucial role in spread and development of Buddhism across Asia (China, Japan, Southeast Asia)
Key Terms to Review (17)
Asceticism: Asceticism is a lifestyle characterized by strict self-discipline and abstention from indulgence, often for spiritual reasons. In Buddhism, ascetic practices are seen as a means to achieve enlightenment by overcoming attachment and desire. This concept plays a significant role in the journey of the Buddha, particularly in understanding the balance between extreme ascetic practices and the middle way.
Awakened One: The Awakened One, often referred to as the Buddha, is a title given to Siddhartha Gautama after he attained enlightenment. This term encapsulates the profound realization of the nature of existence, free from ignorance and suffering, which leads to a deep understanding of reality and the cessation of the cycle of birth and rebirth. The title emphasizes the transformative journey from ignorance to enlightenment and signifies the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice.
Bodhi: Bodhi refers to the state of enlightenment or awakening in Buddhism, where one gains profound insight into the nature of reality, leading to liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. This state is characterized by a deep understanding of the Four Noble Truths and the realization of the impermanence of all things. Attaining bodhi is central to the Buddha's teachings and signifies a transformative experience that not only benefits the individual but also contributes to the establishment of the monastic community, or Sangha, which plays a crucial role in spreading these teachings.
Bodhi Tree: The Bodhi Tree is a sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa) under which Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, attained enlightenment. This event marked a pivotal moment in Buddhist history, as it led to the establishment of the teachings and practices that form the foundation of Buddhism. The Bodhi Tree symbolizes wisdom, insight, and the path to spiritual awakening, playing a central role in the narratives surrounding enlightenment and the formation of the Buddhist community.
Dependent Origination: Dependent origination is a fundamental Buddhist concept that explains how all phenomena arise in dependence on conditions and causes, emphasizing that nothing exists in isolation. This principle illustrates the interconnectedness of all things and the cyclical nature of existence, highlighting how various factors contribute to the creation of life experiences, suffering, and ultimately, enlightenment.
Eightfold Path: The Eightfold Path is a fundamental teaching in Buddhism that outlines the way to end suffering and achieve enlightenment. It consists of eight interconnected practices that guide individuals towards ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom, emphasizing the importance of living a balanced life. Each aspect of the path interrelates and supports one another, making it essential for those seeking to follow the Buddha's teachings and ultimately attain Nirvana.
Enlightenment: Enlightenment in Buddhism refers to the profound realization and understanding of the true nature of reality, often described as achieving Nirvana. This transformative state frees individuals from the cycle of suffering and rebirth, connecting deeply with concepts of suffering, existence, and spiritual practice.
First Sermon: The First Sermon, also known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, marks the Buddha's initial teachings after attaining enlightenment. It lays the foundation for the core principles of Buddhism, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, and represents the beginning of the Buddha's role as a teacher and the establishment of the Sangha, or community of monks and followers dedicated to pursuing enlightenment.
First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma: The First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma refers to the initial teaching given by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, shortly after his enlightenment. In this seminal discourse, delivered at Sarnath, he outlined the core principles of Buddhism, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. This moment marks the foundation of Buddhist philosophy and the establishment of the Sangha, or community of practitioners, as it provides the essential teachings that guide individuals towards enlightenment.
Four Noble Truths: The Four Noble Truths are the foundational teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation from it. These truths reveal the existence of suffering, its origin, the possibility of cessation, and the path leading to that cessation, serving as a guide for understanding human experience and achieving enlightenment.
Four Sights: The Four Sights refer to the four significant experiences that Siddhartha Gautama encountered during his early life, which profoundly impacted his journey toward becoming the Buddha. These sights—an old man, a sick person, a dead body, and an ascetic—exposed Siddhartha to the realities of human suffering and impermanence, ultimately leading him to seek a deeper understanding of life and enlightenment. They are crucial in understanding Siddhartha's transformation and the foundation of Buddhist teachings on suffering and the path to liberation.
Impermanence: Impermanence, or 'anicca' in Pali, refers to the fundamental Buddhist concept that all things are in a constant state of flux and change. This principle emphasizes that nothing is permanent, which plays a critical role in understanding the nature of existence, suffering, and the path to enlightenment. Recognizing impermanence helps individuals see beyond attachments and encourages them to seek deeper truths about reality.
Mara: Mara is a significant figure in Buddhist tradition, often personified as a demon or tempter that embodies desire, death, and distraction. This entity represents the obstacles that hinder individuals on their spiritual path, particularly during the quest for enlightenment. Mara's most famous encounter is with Siddhartha Gautama, who faced temptation from him right before achieving enlightenment and becoming the Buddha, underscoring Mara's role as a symbol of the challenges faced on the journey to spiritual awakening.
Middle Way: The Middle Way is a core concept in Buddhism that refers to the path of moderation and balance between extremes, particularly between self-indulgence and severe asceticism. This approach was discovered by Siddhartha Gautama during his quest for enlightenment, leading him to establish a practical means for overcoming suffering. The Middle Way emphasizes wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline as essential elements in achieving spiritual awakening.
Sangha: Sangha refers to the community of practitioners in Buddhism, particularly the assembly of monks and nuns who follow the teachings of the Buddha. This term is central to understanding Buddhist practice and emphasizes the importance of community in achieving enlightenment and supporting the teachings.
Siddhartha Gautama: Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, was the founder of Buddhism and is revered as an enlightened teacher who discovered a path to liberation from suffering. His journey from a sheltered life as a prince to seeking spiritual truth profoundly influenced the development of Buddhist thought and practice.
Vinaya: Vinaya refers to the monastic code of discipline that governs the conduct of Buddhist monks and nuns. It lays down the rules and guidelines essential for maintaining harmony and order within the Sangha, the community of ordained practitioners. This code is foundational to monastic life and is significant in the context of the establishment of the Sangha, the teachings imparted by the Buddha, and the ongoing role of monks and nuns in preserving and transmitting these teachings.