Enlightenment

Such a beautiful word. To understand this concept in Buddhist practice, we look to the history of the Buddha. This week around the world we celebrate Bodhi Day - the date changes each year but it corresponds with the new year and moon cycles.

Siddhartha Gautama was born a Prince. When he realized others suffered in the world, lacking the riches he was born into, he set out to study. Seeking profound understanding of human suffering, he looked to countless teachers but did not find the information he sought.

He set out to meditate; he chose a space under the Bodhi tree where he sat anywhere from 7 days to 49 years based on accounts. When he first arrived and for a very long time, his mind was chaotic. He was aware that his mind was under vicious attack. He recognized that our thoughts, our beliefs, have minds of their own. And they, like anything else, will tighten the grip in order to survive.

On the 8th day of the 12th Moon of the year, Siddhartha awoke, starring at Venus, enlightened. That is, he was truly awake for the first time, allowing his mind to soften, loosen its tight hold, so that he could truly see. We suffer because we cling to things, all of which are temporary in this constantly changing world. If we don’t cling, we don’t suffer.

He set out to the village and was met by a young girl who offered him food. Upon seeing this others chastised him claiming he was always so austere - how could he accept charity from a commoner. He exclaimed “of course I changed, what doesn’t".”

From this, the Four Noble Truths were born and Siddharhta Gautama became the Buddha we know today. His dedication to teaching the enlightened path so that all may reduce the suffering found in holding too tightly to what “is” and enrich our love of each other and the world around us immeasurably.