Ages ago, long before he was known as the Buddha, a young hermit named lay in the mud to serve as a living bridge for a passing Buddha. In that moment of profound humility, he did not merely wish for his own peace; he made a mighty resolve . While he could have crossed the "ocean of existence" alone into Nirvana, he chose instead to endure countless lifetimes of trial so he might eventually become a Buddha and redeem all of humanity.
amazon.com/Buddhist-Philosophy-Essential-William-Edelglass/dp/0195328167">Essential Readings ? Buddhist Philosophy: Essential Readings - Amazon.com
: The path to enlightenment is not forced; it is a choice born from individual meditation on the nature of suffering. Buddhist Philosophy - Essential Readings - Khamkoo
: Gaining enlightenment through direct, personal experience. The Lesson of the Golden Fish
: The fisherman asked what he would gain by losing his prize. The Buddha replied that by releasing the fish, he would "free himself from greed and attachment," a reward far greater than any gold. Ages ago, long before he was known as
: Putting those teachings into consistent practice.
When the Buddha finally began to teach, he utilized ( upāya ), recognizing that every individual has a different "capacity for truth". His teachings often followed a three-tiered approach: Pariyatti : Learning the theoretical Dhamma (teachings). amazon
This effortful struggle, known as the , is what eventually allowed him to claim his seat under the Bo-tree. When challenged by the demon Mara, the Buddha did not rely on a god; he relied on the "effort of his many past lives" and the perfection of his own knowledge. The Pedagogy of the Middle Way