Expert: Alex Wilding - 6/1/2011

Question
What did the Buddha  exactly experienced when he attained Enlightenenment? On  which basis he floated the theory of Karma? Did he search for god,did he believe in existence of god? Please throw light on my questions in details , I Shall be extremely grateful.

Answer
Dear Sonia,
These are very big questions.

> What did the Buddha  exactly experienced
> when he attained Enlightenenment?
What the Buddha experienced was a vision of the way things really work, and the true nature of things. This is very hard to explain, which is why he waited several weeks after his enlightenment, thinking that nobody would understand. Eventually he came to the conclusion that just a few would, and he began to teach.

> On  which basis he floated the theory of Karma?
Reason and, more importantly, observation. Cause and effect is at the heart of it.

> Did he search for god,did he believe in existence of god?
Possibly he did, early in his search, but the essence of his insight is to see that all beings, including powerful gods, are subject to the cycle of existence. So although a powerful god or gods may perhaps exist, they are not a true refuge from suffering. They are not important to the real spiritual quest.

I hope that helps a bit - your questions would take books to answer properly!

All the best
Alex W