When the Buddha finally began to teach, he utilized ( upāya ), recognizing that every individual has a different "capacity for truth". His teachings often followed a three-tiered approach: Pariyatti : Learning the theoretical Dhamma (teachings).
: The fisherman asked what he would gain by losing his prize. The Buddha replied that by releasing the fish, he would "free himself from greed and attachment," a reward far greater than any gold.
This effortful struggle, known as the , is what eventually allowed him to claim his seat under the Bo-tree. When challenged by the demon Mara, the Buddha did not rely on a god; he relied on the "effort of his many past lives" and the perfection of his own knowledge. The Pedagogy of the Middle Way Buddhist Philosophy - Essential Readings - Khamkoo
Ages ago, long before he was known as the Buddha, a young hermit named lay in the mud to serve as a living bridge for a passing Buddha. In that moment of profound humility, he did not merely wish for his own peace; he made a mighty resolve . While he could have crossed the "ocean of existence" alone into Nirvana, he chose instead to endure countless lifetimes of trial so he might eventually become a Buddha and redeem all of humanity.
The philosophy concludes that the "Pure Land" is not a far-off place, but a state of mind. When the heart becomes pure, the world reveals itself as pure here and now. When the Buddha finally began to teach, he
: The path to enlightenment is not forced; it is a choice born from individual meditation on the nature of suffering.
: Gaining enlightenment through direct, personal experience. The Lesson of the Golden Fish The Buddha replied that by releasing the fish,
The Buddhist philosophical tradition is vast, internally diverse, and comprises texts written in a variety of canonical languages. Amazon.com