According to Buddhist tradition, after leaving his palace and renouncing his princely life, Siddhartha Gautama, the future Buddha, embarked on a spiritual journey in search of enlightenment. After practicing various austerities and receiving teachings from different spiritual teachers, Siddhartha realized that extreme self-mortification was not the path to enlightenment.
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Eventually, Siddhartha decided to adopt a middle path, which involved finding a balance between indulgence and asceticism. He stopped fasting and began nourishing his body with regular meals. With his newfound balance, he proceeded to seek enlightenment through meditation.
For his meditation practice, Siddhartha chose a tree and decided to sit beneath it until he attained enlightenment. He initially approached a mango tree but eventually declined it and chose a fig tree instead. This fig tree came to be known as the bodhi tree because the Buddha achieved enlightenment (bodhi) while meditating under it for 49 days.
During those 49 days, it is said that Siddhartha entered deep states of meditation, exploring the nature of existence and the causes of suffering. He practiced mindfulness and awareness, focusing his attention on his breath and the sensations arising in his body. He observed the arising and passing away of thoughts, feelings, and sensations, gaining insights into the impermanent and interconnected nature of all things.
As he delved deeper into his meditation practice, Siddhartha confronted and overcame various obstacles and distractions, including temptations and mental hindrances. He remained unwavering in his commitment to self-discovery, relentlessly exploring the depths of his own mind.
Finally, on the morning of the full moon in the month of Vesakha (May), Siddhartha Gautama, at the age of 35, achieved enlightenment. He became a Buddha, meaning “awakened one” or “enlightened one.” It is said that during his enlightenment, he gained profound insights into the true nature of reality, the causes of suffering, and the path to its cessation.
After his enlightenment, the Buddha continued to teach and share his insights with others, establishing the foundation of what would become Buddhism. The fig tree, later known as the bodhi tree, became a symbol of the Buddha’s awakening and the place where he achieved ultimate wisdom.
It is important to note that the narrative of the Buddha’s enlightenment and the specific details of his meditation practice may vary across different Buddhist traditions and interpretations. However, the core teaching of his awakening and the significance of the bodhi tree remain central to all Buddhist traditions.