In Search of the Supernatural (Soushen Ji)

He contemplated that old age, sickness, and death were truly things to be weary of and to leave behind. Thus, at the hour of the rat midnight, a heavenly being named Pure Abode original: "淨居" (Jìngjū). Referring to a Suddhavasa Deva, a type of celestial being who encourages future Buddhas to seek enlightenment. appeared at the window. With hands pressed together in respect, he addressed the Prince original: "太子" (Tàizǐ). Siddhartha Gautama before his enlightenment., saying:

The time to leave the household life has arrived; you may depart now.

Hearing this, the Prince’s heart was filled with joy. He immediately leaped over the city walls and departed. In the Dantaloka Mountains, he began his cultivation of the Way original: "修道" (xiūdào). Spiritual practice or the search for truth.. He first went to the place of Alara Kalama, where he studied the "Samadhi of the Sphere of Nothingness" for three years. Realizing it was not the ultimate truth, he left. He then went to Uddaka Ramaputta and studied the "Samadhi of neither perception nor non-perception" The text uses "不用處定" again, but in the Buddhist biography, this refers to the second, higher meditative state the Prince mastered. for another three years. Knowing this too was incorrect, he also left. He then traveled to Mount Gaya original: "象頭山" (Xiàngtóushān), literally "Elephant Head Mountain.". There, along with various ascetics of other paths original: "外道" (wàidào). Specifically, non-Buddhist practitioners who practiced extreme self-denial., he ate only a single hemp seed and a grain of wheat each day. This lasted for six years. Thus, the scripture says:

With a mind free of attachment and actions without grasping, he completely subdued the various ascetics. He first experienced their mistaken methods to demonstrate skillful means, allowing those with differing views to eventually reach Enlightenment original: "菩提" (pútí), from the Sanskrit Bodhi..

Therefore, the Samuccaya Sutra original: "普集經" (Pǔjí Jīng). says:

The Bodhisattva an enlightenment-seeking being attained Buddhahood on the eighth day of the second month when the morning star appeared. He was given the title Teacher of Gods and Men original: "天人師" (Tiānrén Shī)..

At that time, he was thirty years old. This corresponded to the third year of the reign of King Mu of Zhou a king of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty; traditional Chinese texts often synchronize the Buddha's life with Chinese history, the year of the Water Goat. Shortly after, in the Deer Park, he "turned the Wheel of the Four Noble Truths" original: "四諦法輪" (Sìdì fǎlún). The Buddha's foundational teaching on the nature of suffering and the path to its end. for Kaundinya and four other companions, expounding the Way.