This is how the Buddha spent these seven weeks in the vicinity of the Bodhi tree where He attained Enlightenment.
First week: Under the Bodhi tree
During the first week after Enlightenment, the Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree, experiencing the happiness of freedom and peace (Nirvana/Nibbana). Throughout the week, He sat in one posture, experiencing the Bliss of Emancipation (Vimukthi Suva).
Second week: Gazing at the Bodhi tree
During the second week, Buddha standing a few feet from the Bodhi tree and watched constantly by the eye does not blink for a week as a thank you and appreciation to the tree that has given him a place to shelter while struggling to reach the level of Buddha (Animisalochana Pooja). Following what has been done by the first Buddha; now even Buddhists pay homage to the Bodhi tree.
Third week: Golden Bridge
The Buddha saw through His mind's eye that the gods were not sure whether He had attained Enlightenment, as the Buddha had not given up His temporary residence at the Bodhi tree. To clear their doubts, He created, by His psychic powers, a golden bridge in the air, and walked up and down it for a whole week.
Fourth week: In the jewelled chamber
During the fourth week, the Buddha created a beautiful jewelled chamber (ratanaghara) and sitting inside it, meditated on what was later known as the 'Detailed Teaching' (Abhidhamma - namely the teachings of psychology and metaphysics).
His mind and body were so purified that rays of six colors came out of His body - blue, yellow, red, white, orange and a mixture of these five. Each color represented one noble quality of the Buddha: yellow for holiness, white for purity, blue for confidence, red for wisdom and orange for defeat of desire.
The mixed color represented all these noble qualities. Today these six colors make up the Buddhist flag.
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| Buddhist flag |
Fifth week: With a Brahman and three girls
While meditating under the ‘Ajapala’ banyan tree, Questioned by a conceited Brahman on how one becomes a Brahman and the conditions that make a Brahman. Buddha’s reply the Buddha replied :
“That Brahmin who has discarded evil,
without conceit,
free from Defilements, self-controlled,
versed in knowledge and who has led the Holy life right,
would call himself a Brahman.
For him, there is no elation anywhere in this World.”
without conceit,
free from Defilements, self-controlled,
versed in knowledge and who has led the Holy life right,
would call himself a Brahman.
For him, there is no elation anywhere in this World.”
Three charming girls called Tanha, Rati and Raga (the daughters of Mara) came to disturb His meditation. They danced around the Buddha and tried to distract Him, but soon got tired and left Him alone.
Sixth week: Under the ‘Muchalinda’ tree
The Buddha started meditating under a muchalinda tree. It began to rain heavily and the huge Muchalinda Nagaraja (cobra king) came out and coiled his body seven times around the Buddha to keep Him warm and placed his hood over the Buddha's head to protect Him from the rain.
After seven days, the rain stopped and the snake changed into a young man who paid his respects to the Buddha.
"Happy are they who are contented. Happiness is for those who hear and know the truth. Happy are they who have good will in this world towards all sentient beings. Happy are they who have no attachments and have passed beyond sense-desires. The disappearance of the word "I AM” is indeed the highest happiness."
Seventh week: Under the Rajayatana tree
During the seventh week, the Buddha meditated under the Rajayatana banyan tree. Two merchants, Tapassu and Bhalluka, came into His presence and offered the Buddha rice cakes and honey.
Buddha somewhat stunned for a moment because the bowl which he received from Sujata has been washed away in the river since time immemorial Neranjara and a Buddha is never accept the food with his hands.
Suddenly, four men from the four corners of the god of nature (i.e. Catumaharaja Dhatarattha from the east, Virulhaka from the South, Virupakkha from the West, and Kuvera from the North) came to help with bringing in a single bowl dedicated to Buddha. Buddha received four bowls and with his supernatural powers into one bowl.
This was the first food ate by Buddha after seven weeks of the enlightenment.
The Buddha told them some of what He had found in His Enlightenment. These two merchants, by taking refuge in the Buddha and His Dharma, became the first lay followers in the Buddhist world. There was no Sangha (order of monks and nuns) then.
They asked the Buddha for something sacred and the Buddha wiped His head with His right hand and pulled out some hair to give them. These hair relics called ‘Kesa Datum’ were brought home and enshrined by the merchants.
To Read Post One Click "The Life in brief of Buddha (Post 1)"
