VIPS X TREE

S.N. Goenka again refers to the presence of Nature in Buddha’s life during the evening lecture on Day 4. He notes that Siddhartha Gautama happened to be born outside under a tree (his mother fell into premature labour). More strikingly, Siddhartha’s first self-initiated meditation as a child occurred under a tree, his first sermon was taught under a tree and, most importantly, at the age of 35, he became enlightened under a tree. Finally, aged 80, Siddhartha died peacefully under a tree. In other words: the pivotal moments of Buddha’s life all transpired under a tree.