Even though he developed many spiritual powers, he still felt as though he is far away from the truth and real, lasting peace. Buddha realised that these spiritual powers mean nothing and just another game of his ego.
After thanking his masters for teaching him for so many years, Buddha left the masters guidance and went forward on his spiritual journey seeking for truth, enlightenment and lasting peace.
Buddha realised that no one could genuinely help him find what he is looking for but himself. He realised that what he is looking for, only he can find, not anywhere outside of him but within himself.
Trail to Phuktal Monastery, Zanskar
And so, Buddha sat under a fig tree, known as the Bodhi tree for seven weeks. He did not move to eat or do anything else for seven weeks. He was focused in his search for truth, and so he sat with his eyes closed, searching within his deepest depths, within himself for the truth.
After the 7th week, Buddha opened his eyes, and he had found what he was looking for. He found it within himself, by going within the deeper recesses of his body, mind and soul. He found the one eternal truth that he was looking for.
He found the key to every last peace and bliss. Since then, hundreds of people came to Buddha to learn from his. They all wanted to know the secrets of truth and lasting peace, and so this is how Buddhism was formed.
Today Buddha does not live, but his teachings and his compassion live on deeply through his teachings. There are so many beautiful monasteries in Ladakh where Buddhists monk reside and dedicate their whole lives to learn the teachings of Buddha and live life the Buddha way. These are ancient monasteries, some of them are more than 2000 years old.
