Attaining Full Enlightenment

On the night of the full moon in the fifth month of the year, the Bodhisattva attained Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya. That night, he was in deep meditation. In that calm and purified state, he was able to focus his mind on a single point.

In the first part of the night, he developed the mental power by which he recollected his past lives in detail. He recalled the type of life he had led, the place he had lived in, and the occupation he had followed, in each of these lives.

In the middle of the night, he developed the mental power to see the past lives of others. He saw the evil-doers being born in the state of suffering, and the good ones in the state of happiness.

Finally, just before dawn, the Buddha realised that all things arise dependent upon causes. Suffering is caused by desire and ignorance. Therefore, when these are removed, suffering does not arise. After this realisation, he was freed from desire and ignorance, and rebirth. He acquired perfect wisdom and attained Enlightenment.

Reflecting upon His victory over ignorance, he thought with joy: