SIDDHARTHAS NOBEL SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH

Siddhartha left the mansion with the sole intention of attaining Enlightenment (Bodhi) regarding the problems of life. Therefore he is called a Bodhisattva – Aperson searching for Enlightenment. Bodhisattva Siddhartha did not know the path to Enlightenment. So he decided to go to a teacher. He selected the well known ascetic Alara Kalama as his teacher. The Budhisattva was so clever that within a short period he learnt all that Alara Kalama was able to teach. Then Alara Kalama invited the Bodhisattva to join him in teaching and leading the other pupils. Bodhisattva Siddhartha very politely declined this invitation and went in search of another who was able to teach him further. Then he went to uddaka Ramaputta, another famous teacher. As before, within a sort period he learnt everything uddaka Ramaputta knew. Like Alara Kalama he also invited the Bodhisattva to join him in teacher others. Once again he did not acceot the invitation. He went to many other teachers, but could not find a teacher capable of showing him the part to Enlightenment. So he decided to search the part by himself. At this time five other ascetics joined the Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva had two paths open before him. One path consisted of complete enjoyment of sensual pleasures. (Kamasukhallikanuyoga). The other path consisted of giving pain to the body by practicing difficult ascetic practices (Attakilamathanuyoga). Through experience and intelligence the Bodhisattva knew that the path of sensual enjoyment will not lead him to Enlightenment. So he decided to try the other path, the path of difficult ascetic practices. Following this path he practiced very difficult ascetic practices. He tried to control his mind by force. He tried to stop breathing completely. When he stopped breathing through the nose and the mouth the wind, making a loud noise, escaped through his ears. Then he felt as if his head was going to burst, as if his stomach was being cut with a sharp knife. He completely gave up eating any food and he was reduced to a skeleton. It became very clear to him that the path of difficult ascetic practice was of no use. It was only making him physically weak, and this affected him mentally also. Often he fainted and he was confused. So he decided to give up that practice and start to take food. The five ascetics who were with him eagerly expecting to see him attain Enlightenment did not want Bodhisattva to give up ascetic practices. When Bodhisattva began to take food they protested and lef in disgust accusing Bodhisattva of being tempted to revert to enjoyment of comforts of life. One morning the Bodhisattva having bbathed and eaten the rice gruel offered by Sujata sat under the Bodhi tree determined not to rise until he attained Enlightenment.