In the both ancient history and in modern times, we know of religious and secular leaders whose efforts and achievements have become a lasting gift to humanity.  Because they wanted to achieve much in their lifetimes, they first trained themselves in endurance, strong effort, and self-cultivation.  Only then could they fully benefit others.

   In the processes of learning patience, self-discipline and right effort, they educated themselves and others, and have become the great scientists, mathematicians, philosophers, entrepreneuers, artists, writers, and religious leaders that we know of today.

   Bodhisattva Siddhārtha Gautama (the Buddha) is now known as a spiritual Master and perfect religious Leader, who was full of the qualities of virtue, loving-kindness, compassion, and wisdom.  Before his enlightenment, however, the Buddha spent 6 years practicing asceticism in a deep forest with five brother monks. There he searched unceasingly for the truth while practicing meditation deeply.  Finally, after 49 days and nights under the Bodhi tree, the Bodhisattva became the Buddha who is called Sakyamuni.  He is honored by gods and human beings, and brings the light of enlightenment, love, and peace to all living beings.

   The writer boldly titles this writing, "The Light of Enlightenment through Bodhisattva Siddhārtha's vision." This vision is the direct result of practicing contemplation meditation insight, and it contains the ability to clearly see the process of endurance, diligence, and concentration, which gains enlightenment. It then goes on to preach the Dharma, and to teach human beings about Bodhisattva Siddhārtha. In the title of this writing, we encounter such terms as "light, enlightenment, Bodhisattva, Siddhārtha."

   Normally, when referring to the light, we think of sunlight, moonlight, evening star light, morning star light, electric lights, car lights, neon lights, etc. These kinds of lights are natural light, material lights, or artificial lights. Differing from these lights, the light which we will explore here is the light of enlightenment, which starts from the body and mind through meditation-concentration cultivation, endurance, effort, purification, and defilement transformation of Bodhisattva Siddhārtha.

   Thanks to His training in meditation-concentration very purely and supernaturally, the Bodhisattva extinguished ignorance, defilements, lapses, attachments, etc., and achieved the fruits of perfect enlightenment. Towards the Bodhisattva - the awakened One, enlightenment authentically means the absence of ignorance, afflictions, attachments, lapses, suffering, and the end of the cycle of death and rebirth.

   The light of enlightenment symbolizes Buddhism, the Buddha, the Dharma, and His disciples (Sangha). Buddhism is the religion of peace, the Buddha is the King of peace, the Dharma is the path of peace, and the disciples are the messengers of peace. Indeed, peace is authentically present whenever we each learn, understand, practice, and apply the Buddha Dharma in his/her daily life appropriately. 

When we understand and act like this, the light of the World-Honored One's enlightenment has the ability to shine all over the world. Moreover, we know in the factors of His enlightenment, there are still other substances such as right mindfulness, awareness, steadiness, relaxation, carefreeness, and leisureliness. Accomplishing those qualities, a practitioner can undoubtedly achieve peacefulness and joyfulness right here and right now in the present moments.

   Enlightenment contains many different meanings and stages.  

Enlightenment of ordinary practitioners - through the process of cultivating, transforming defilements, applying, and practicing the Buddha Dharma in our daily lives -  can be achieved, but may occur partially and/or gradually.

Enlightenment of the Bodhisattva practitioner can be achieved through the process of having cut off afflictions, and discovering the truth of suffering (Dukkha), the origin of suffering (Dukkha Samudaya), the cessation of suffering (Dukkha Nirodha), and the path leading to the cessation of suffering (Dukkha Nirodha Gāminī Patipadā).  Bodhisatta Siddhārtha had the ability to attain enlightenment, and became fully and perfectly enlightened.

Thay Sy has written a great deal more, sadly space prohibits placing all of it in this column.  

Please contact Ven. Thich Trung Sy ([email protected]) if you would like a copy of his writings (it is in both Vietnamese and English).