THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA: CHAPTER XI – ENLIGHTENMENT
THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA: CHAPTER XI – ENLIGHTENMENT
It was a full moon day in the month of May. Remembering how, as a small boy, He had meditated on breathing in and breathing out at the ploughing festival and reached the first mental absorption (Jhaana), the ascetic Gotama decided to use this form of meditation.
Maara, the feeling of desire and attachment, seeing that the ascetic Gotama was about to achieve the supreme knowledge, tried to tempt Him with images of His wife and other pleasures. However, the ascetic Gotama was determined and continued His meditation. Finally, He attained the Supreme knowledge known as enlightenment. He attained it in three stages by realising the Four Noble Truths.
