k his
alms-bowl, bathed in the river Neranj[=a]ra, ate the food, and went
into the jungle.

60. Q. _What did he do there?_

A. Having formed his determination after these reflections, he went at
evening to the B[=o]dhi, or Asvattha tree, where the present
Mah[=a]b[=o]dhi Temple stands.

61. Q. _What did he do there?_

A. He determined not to leave the spot until he attained perfect
wisdom.

62. Q. _At which side of the tree did he seat himself?_

A. The side facing the east.[5]

63. Q. _What did he obtain that night?_

A. The knowledge of his previous births, of the causes of rebirths,
and of the way to extinguish desires. Just before the break of the
next day his mind was entirely opened, like the full-blown lotus
flower; the light of supreme knowledge, or the Four Truths, poured in
upon him. He had become BUDDHA--the Enlightened, the all-knowing--the
Sarvajna.

64. Q. _Had he at last discovered the cause of human misery?_

A. At last he had. As the light of the morning sun chases away the
darkness of night, and reveals to sight the trees, fields, rocks, seas,
rivers, animals, men and all things, so the full light of knowledge
rose in his mind, and he saw at one glance the causes of human
suffering and the way to escape from them.

65. Q. _Had he great struggles before gaining this perfect wisdom?_

A. Yes, mighty and terrible struggles. He had to conquer in his body
all those natural defects and human appetites and desires that prevent
our seeing the truth. He had to overcome all the bad influences of the
sinful world around him. Like a soldier fighting desperately in battle
against many enemies, he struggled: like a hero who conquers, he gained
his object, and the secret of human misery was discovered.

66. Q. _What use did he make of the knowledge thus gained?_

A. At first he was reluctant to teach it to the people at large.

67. Q. _Why?_

A. Because of its profound importance and sublimity. He feared that
but few people would understand it.

68. Q. _What made him alter this view?_[6]

A. He saw that it was his duty to teach what he had learnt as clearly
and simply as possible, and trust to the truth impressing itself upon
the popular mind in proportion to each one's individual Karma. It was
the only way of salvation, and every being had an equal right to have
it pointed out to him. So he determined to begin with his five late
companions, who had abandone