How to become enlightened the buddhist way
Siddhartha Gautama, who would later be known as Buddha, was born into a wealthy family that held a royal status within the Hindu tradition. His parents, wanting to protect him from the harsh realities of life, kept him shielded within the luxurious walls of their palace.
They ensured he lacked for nothing, living a life filled with all the comforts and pleasures one could imagine. However, everything changed when Siddhartha decided to step outside the confines of his royal home.
During this excursion, he encountered the harsh truths of existence, witnessing extreme poverty and illness for the first time. The stark contrast to his sheltered upbringing left him in shock. Faced with these overwhelming truths, he sought guidance from the gods, asking earnestly, “What can I do?”
Determined to seek answers, Siddhartha made a radical choice. He turned his back on his affluent lifestyle, leaving his family, comfort, and wealth behind. He embarked on a journey that traded material riches for spiritual growth, immersing himself in fasting, meditation, and solitude.
This commitment took a toll on his body, leading to a state of extreme physical weakness and emaciation. At the same time, his mind was unsettled, plagued by the troubling thought that his quest for enlightenment remained unfulfilled.
In a moment of clarity, Siddhartha decided to abandon his extreme self-discipline and suffering. He chose to sit under a tree, committing himself to remain there until he achieved enlightenment.
He ceased all forms of meditation, fasting, and the relentless search for understanding the suffering present in the world. In essence, he decided to do nothing, allowing himself to simply exist. He slept on the ground and focused on his basic needs.
During this period, local villagers showed kindness by providing him with scraps from their meals, illustrating the compassion that existed in the world around him.
Then, one day, everything changed. Siddhartha woke up feeling different both within himself and in his perception of the world. In that moment, he realized he had reached a state of enlightenment.
When others inquired about his newfound understanding, his response took them by surprise. He explained, “I’m enlightened because I realize that enlightenment is knowing there is nothing you have to do. You simply have to be exactly what you are being right now, and then make a choice about that, deliberately and with intention.”
In contemporary society, the idea of “doing nothing” often faces criticism and can be viewed as unacceptable. However, Buddha's message remains significant and applicable even today.
This philosophy is increasingly echoed by modern science and is known as mindfulness. Mindfulness encourages individuals to live in the present moment and make choices with intention.
The reality of suffering will persist in the world; nevertheless, individuals have the power to confront it with love and acceptance.