The Awakening of the Buddha

Question 1

AO3: Why may some say the awakening is difficult to express?

Answer 1

It is beyond neither perception or non perception and cannot be related to anything.

Question 2

AO3: What Mahayana text best explains enlightenment?

Answer 2

The Vimilakirti Nirdesa - known as the ‘Thunderous silence of Vimilakirti’.

Question 3

AO3: What does the Vimilakirti Nirdesa say?

Answer 3

Vimilakirti was a wealthy patron and disciple of the Buddha - Outlines to him silence is the best way to articulate enlightenment.

Question 4

AO3: What Mahayana principle supports Nirvana to have no substance to be identified or described?

Answer 4

The principle of Sunyata.

Question 5

AO3: What debate is there between Mahayana and Therevada Buddhists?

Answer 5

The differences between enlightenment in this world and after death (Parinibbana).

Question 6

AO3: What does scholar David Kalupahana state?

Answer 6

It is futile to attempt to articulate enlightenment beyond death.

Question 7

AO3: What verbal comparisons have been made for enlightenment?

Answer 7

Deathless, blissfulness, tranquility and highest happiness.

Question 8

AO3: What does Walpola Rahula say the easiest way to describe enlightenment is?

Answer 8

It is easiest to say what enlightenment is not.

Question 9

AO3: What similes did King Milinda use?

Answer 9

‘Lotus unwetted by water’ - therefore it can be articulated using language.

Question 10

AO3: Why is asking what enlightenment would be for ‘me’ or ‘I’ be invalid?

Answer 10

As ‘me’ and ‘my’ are foreign concepts to the experience - meant to leave ideas of substantial self behind.

Question 11

AO3: What is a final possible solution to articulating enlightenment?

Answer 11

Attempts to articulate it should be abandoned - instead remain as a simple focus for aspiration.

Question 12

AO3: Why could enlightenment be seen as the most significant part of Buddhism?

Answer 12

It is the focus of every Buddhist aspiration.

Question 13

AO3: What did enlightenment allow the Buddha to do which shows its significance?

Answer 13

He reached the highest form of Buddhahood - sammasambudhha - which allowed him to rediscover the Dhamma.

Question 14

AO3: What about the three jewels suggests it to be the most important?

Answer 14

The first of the three jewels is the Buddha - underlining the achievement of enlightenment.

Question 15

AO3: Why can enlightenment be seen as significant in regards to its effect on other people?

Answer 15

Allowed others to reach enlightenment and escape the cycle of suffering.

Question 16

AO3: Why does enlightenment not merit worship of the Buddha himself?

Answer 16

It is a symbol of human potential and encouragement towards own goals not of the Buddha as an ultimate deity.

Question 17

AO3: Why can a focus on the Buddha’s enlightenment be limiting?

Answer 17

It is a personal spiritual quest of following the Dhamma and a focus of the Buddha’s enlightenment can sidetrack us from our own goal.

Question 18

AO3: Why may the significance of enlightenment differ?

Answer 18

Some may not aim to achieve it in this lifetime. ie. Some Therevada buddhists simply aim for a better rebirth.

Question 19

How did he take action to find out why suffering exists?

Answer 19

Left his wife and son one night and joined a group of Sramanas.

Question 20

AO3: Who may enlightenment have far more significance for?

Answer 20

An arhat.

Question 21

The Sramanas were ascetics, what did this mean?

Answer 21

They gave up all material possessions to concentrate on developing their understanding of religious ideas and pursuing spiritual goals.

Question 22

AO3: What does Mahayana believe about enlightenment?

Answer 22

All people have the potential for enlightenment and it can be achieved immediately.
= Varying significance.

Question 23

Did mastering ‘the sphere of nothingness’ meditation help him with his journey of finding the cause of suffering?

Answer 23

No, so he left the group even though he was offered leadership.

Question 24

AO3: How may some argue that even within Mahayana the importance varies?

Answer 24

It is still difficult to achieve.

Question 25

What did Siddhartha do when he practiced asceticism?

Answer 25

• Wore very little;
• Lived in the forests;
• Ate very little.

Question 26

What did he live on each day as an ardent ascetic?

Answer 26

A single grain of rice.

Question 27

Why did he leave his life of asceticism?

Answer 27

As he was on the brink of death, he realised this approach was not the way to discover and overcome the cause of suffering so he abandoned it and gained his strength.

Question 28

How did the other sramanas react to this?

Answer 28

They were angry and Siddhartha left their company.

Question 29

Enlightenment

Answer 29

The moment of understanding something new/ to comprehend and discover the truth.

Question 30

What did he realise whilst sat under the Bodhi tree?

Answer 30

That his pleasure should not be abandoned in his search for enlightenment.

Question 31

What did he resolve to doing?

Answer 31

Meditating under the tree until he was enlightened.

Question 32

Who wanted to stop Siddhartha from gaining this knowledge?

Answer 32

Mara, the personification of all the forces opposed to enlightenment.

Question 33

What did Mara try to tempt Siddhartha with? How did Siddhartha react?

Answer 33

Sense pleasures and desires; Siddhartha ignored him.

Question 34

What did Mara tell Siddhartha?

Answer 34

That no one could bear witness to Siddhartha’s good deeds and didn’t deserve to be enlightened.

Question 35

What happened when Siddhartha touched the world?

Answer 35

• It quaked;
• A goddess rose from the Earth bearing witness to his good deeds - earth touching Mudra)
• Mara fled, leaving Siddhartha free from all greed, hatred and ignorance.

Question 36

What did he do after this?

Answer 36

Deepened his meditation.

Question 37

What did he understand after this?

Answer 37

He began to understand the true nature of Karma in the lives of all beings and saw all of his own past lives.

Question 38

How did his enlightenment occur?

Answer 38

It came when he suddenly fully comprehended the root of all suffering, how to end it and how to attain a state beyond suffering.

Question 39

What did he become after his enlightenment?

Answer 39

He became the Buddha which means awakened or enlightened one.