Rohatsu 2014

First day of Rohatsu Week, the seven days leading up to Buddha's enlightenment on December 8 (see Rohatsu, Rohatsu 2011). As the story (one of them) goes, Siddhartha Gautama took his seat under the Bodhi tree and vowed not to get up until he had found the truth. He was visited by the demon Mara (shown above), who repeatedly tempted and assaulted him with sensory pleasure, violence, and mockery to prevent him from attaining enlightenment. Gautama remained still, and finally said, "I know who you are, Mara". "You are me". Ouch. Mara gave up and slunk away. As the morning star rose in the sky, Siddhartha Gautama realized enlightenment and became a Buddha.