Meditation is a practice that has been around for thousands of years, and one of the most influential figures in its history is Buddha. Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was a prince who renounced his worldly life and became a spiritual teacher and founder of Buddhism. He is revered for his wisdom, compassion and enlightenment.
But how long did Buddha meditate? How did he achieve such a profound state of awareness and insight? And what can we learn from his example?
There is no definitive answer to how long Buddha meditated, as different sources may give different accounts. However, some of the most common and widely accepted stories are:
- Before his enlightenment, Buddha practiced meditation for six years under various teachers and methods. He tried extreme asceticism, fasting and self-mortification, but found them ineffective and harmful. He then realized that the middle way between indulgence and deprivation was the best path to liberation.
- On the night of his enlightenment, Buddha sat under a Bodhi tree and resolved not to get up until he attained the supreme truth. He entered into deep concentration and faced various temptations and challenges from Mara, the personification of evil and illusion. He overcame them all with his wisdom and compassion, and finally realized the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, the core teachings of Buddhism. He meditated for 49 days straight under the Bodhi tree, without moving from his seat.
- After his enlightenment, Buddha continued to meditate throughout his life, as a way of dwelling in a pleasant abiding here and now, and setting an example for his followers. He often meditated in different postures, such as sitting, standing, walking and lying down. He also taught various meditation techniques to his disciples, such as mindfulness of breathing, loving-kindness, contemplation of impermanence, etc.
From these stories, we can see that Buddha meditated for different purposes and durations at different stages of his life. He was not fixated on a certain amount of time or a specific technique, but rather adapted to the needs and conditions of each situation. He also showed us that meditation is not an end in itself, but a means to an end: the end of suffering and the attainment of peace and happiness.
We can learn from Buddha's example and apply it to our own meditation practice. We can meditate for as long as we feel comfortable and beneficial, without forcing ourselves or comparing ourselves to others. We can also experiment with different methods and styles of meditation, and find what works best for us. We can use meditation as a tool to cultivate awareness, wisdom and compassion in our daily lives, and ultimately realize our true nature and potential.
Find out more about the enlightenment of the Buddha in this video below: