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Explain two temptations the Buddha experienced immediately before he became enlightened - AQA - GCSE Religious Studies: A (8062) - Question 4 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 4
Explain two temptations the Buddha experienced immediately before he became enlightened. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist belief and teaching ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain two temptations the Buddha experienced immediately before he became enlightened - AQA - GCSE Religious Studies: A (8062) - Question 4 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Temptation One: Mara's Daughters
Answer
One significant temptation the Buddha faced was from Mara's daughters, who attempted to seduce him with beauty and allure. According to Buddhist texts, Mara was determined to prevent Siddhartha from achieving enlightenment, and he sent his daughters to distract him with sensual pleasures, symbolizing the earthly attachments that could lead one away from spiritual pursuit.
Step 2
Temptation Two: The Attack of Mara
Answer
Another crucial challenge was Mara's assault on the Buddha's resolve, where he attempted to instill doubt and fear. Mara sent demons to attack Siddhartha with arrows, which turned into flowers. This represented the external forces that seek to derail one's spiritual journey. In this moment, the Buddha remained undeterred, acknowledging that liberation comes from within and that one must confront and transcend these distractions.