During meditative trances in that night’s three watches he
gained the knowledge of all his past lives, acquired the “super-
human divine eye” by which he envisaged the passing away
and rebirth of all living beings of all times. It was like that of
the whole universe appearing before him as a mirror. He saw
that good karma brings about a happy rebirth and evil karma
leads to a miserable next life. en, at the third watch (2.00 am
— 6.00 am), he reached the highest state in which the “outflows”
of his life i.e., his ignorance and cravings, were finally quelled.
It was then that he perceived the Four Noble Truths of the way
of Enlightenment, noting, “is is Suffering, this is the Cause
of Suffering, this is the Cessation of Suffering, and this is the
Path leading to the Cessation of Suffering”. us ignorance
was dispelled and wisdom arose. Being enlightened, he real-
ised, “Rebirth is ended; fulfilled the Holy Life; done what was
to be done; there is no more this state again”. ereafter he was
known as Buddha Gautama, one of the long line of Buddhas
that already had appeared in the past and will appear in the
future.us at the age of 35, Gautama, under the full moon in the
month of Vesakha (April — May), about the year 525 at a
place called Buddha Gaya, attained the Supreme Enlightenment
and Buddhism was born to the world. e Buddha then spent
seven weeks contemplating on the Truth that he had realised,
particularly the more difficult ones on causal relations or the
Truth of Dependent Origination.