Why on earth did Buddha do that tree thing for 40years?

Question

I mean 40 years. I would have said that I was enlightened rather than admit to wasting 40 years sitting under a tree

Answer 1

Hello Steve,

Did you notice he also got very fat by the end of this this time.

Something I wonder is that perhaps he might have been an agoraphobic and in fact been stuck under said tree because of insecurity issues. Or perhaps he had Fascia problems and couldn't walk.

Steve I would also like to point out that the semi budistic persons who also answered this question noted they thought that the 40 years is in picture language. I would like to point out that it's very handy to put stuff down to picture language because this way you can make the picture up in what ever way you want. And if indeed this small chubby bloke who sits in loads of peoples gardens did do this for 40 years (with the best of intentions) It's actually very disrespectful of them to shorten his time. Poor bloke.

OI Steve can I have the points please

Answer 2

In school at philosophy class I had to read the book of Siddhartha Gautama, when I sated reading it I had no idea that Siddhartha was Buddha. It was a very interesting book to read, a lot of things made sense.
I only have one God, the creator, the only one that exists for me.
But I respect everyone even if I don't agree with them.
And I don't know why he was at that tree for that long, try doing an Internet sea-ch, or read the book Siddhartha Gautama, it was a long time ago that I read it, I don't remember all the details.

Take care.

Answer 3

Buddha did not do 'that tree thing'. He meditated under a Bodhi Tree to gain englightenment. And to say you were enlightened doesn't mean you are. He didn't 'waste' his time by doing that, he taught a lot of people his findings and about the truth, up until now; things that I believe. I'm Buddhist myself.

Answer 4

Did it actually occur or is that part of myth.

Note there was a 40 year period with the jews
Jesus was in the wilderness 40 days
As for the tree thing
Buddha sat under a tree
Jesus died on a tree
Odin hung upside down from a yew tree

These are all common images in mythology!

Answer 5

Different traditions suggest different times. I don't think most Buddhists care how long it was, and most certainly don't think it was 40 years, gorblime!
The point of the story is that it was not until he gave up all effort at searching and just sat still in meditation that he realised Buddhahood.
Most stories in Buddhism are designed to point to a truth, not to be believed literally.

Answer 6

FYI: Every false religion in the world can be traced back to Babylon. Even before its citizens tried to build the Tower of Babel, Satan had made that city his headquarters and introduced idolatry, the first secret societies, and many of the religious practices that continue to the present day. These eventually appeared as the foundational teachings for Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Gaia worship, and a host of other cultic systems summed up in the Bible as "Mystery Babylon." These false religions consistently violate the first four commandments, those that concern man and his relationship to God ("You shall not worship other gods!" "Make no graven images, nor worship them or serve them!" "Do not take the name of the Lord in vain!" "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy!"; see Exodus 20). In short, all pagan religions depend on the worship of images, or as some call them, "aids to worship." To answer your question...I am not enlightened by Buddha, only God.

Answer 7

He read the story of Rip Van Winkle and thought he could do it twice as well.

Answer 8

The time was not wasted.

If you think just being still is a waste of time...Enligtenment may not be for you.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 9

buddhists enjoy been ordinary

Answer 10

He had a lot of time to kill!