Page 37 - Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism (Illustrated) and Symbols

During meditative trances in that night’s three watches he

gained the knowledge of all his past lives, acquired the “super-

human divine eye” by which he envisaged the passing away

and rebirth of all living beings of all times. It was like that of

the whole universe appearing before him as a mirror. He saw

that good karma brings about a happy rebirth and evil karma

leads to a miserable next life. en, at the third watch (2.00 am

— 6.00 am), he reached the highest state in which the “outflows”

of his life i.e., his ignorance and cravings, were finally quelled.

It was then that he perceived the Four Noble Truths of the way

of Enlightenment, noting, “is is Suffering, this is the Cause

of Suffering, this is the Cessation of Suffering, and this is the

Path leading to the Cessation of Suffering”. us ignorance

was dispelled and wisdom arose. Being enlightened, he real-

ised, “Rebirth is ended; fulfilled the Holy Life; done what was

to be done; there is no more this state again”. ereafter he was

known as Buddha Gautama, one of the long line of Buddhas

that already had appeared in the past and will appear in the

future.

us at the age of 35, Gautama, under the full moon in the

month of Vesakha (April — May), about the year 525  at a

place called Buddha Gaya, attained the Supreme Enlightenment

and Buddhism was born to the world. e Buddha then spent

seven weeks contemplating on the Truth that he had realised,

particularly the more difficult ones on causal relations or the

Truth of Dependent Origination.

 