A. Having formed his determination after these reflections, he went at evening to the Bōdhi, or Asvattha tree, where the present Mahābōdhi Temple stands. 61. Q. _What did he do there?_ A. He determined not to leave the spot until he attained perfect wisdom. 62. Q. _At which side of the tree did he seat himself?_ A. The side facing the east.[4] 63. Q. _What did he obtain that night?_ A. The knowledge of his previous births, of the causes of rebirths, and of the way to extinguish desires. Just before the break of the next day his mind was entirely opened, like the full-blown lotus flower; the light of supreme knowledge, or the Four Truths, poured in upon him. He had become BUDDHA--the Enlightened, the all-knowing--the Sarvajña. 64. Q. _Had he at last discovered the cause of human misery?_ A. At last he had. As the light of the morning sun chases away the darkness of night, and reveals to sight the trees, fields, rocks, seas, rivers, animals, men and all things, so the full light of knowledge rose in his mind, and he saw at one glance the causes of human suffering and the way to escape from them. 65. Q. _Had he great struggles before gaining this perfect wisdom?_ A. Yes, mighty and terrible struggles. He had to conquer in his body all those natural defects and human appetites and desires that prevent our seeing the truth. He had to overcome all the bad influences of the sinful world around him. Like a soldier fighting desperately in battle against many enemies, he struggled: like a hero who conquers, he gained his object, and the secret of human misery was discovered. 66. Q. _What use did he make of the knowledge thus gained?_ A. At first he was reluctant to teach it to the people at large. 67. Q. _Why?_ A. Because of its profound importance and sublimity. He feared that but few people would understand it. 68. Q. _What made him alter this view?_[5] A. He saw that it was his duty to teach what he had learnt as clearly and simply as possible, and trust to the truth impressing itself upon the popular mind in proportion to each one's individual Karma. It was the only way of salvation, and every being had an equal right to have it pointed out to him. So he determined to begin with his five late companions, who had abandoned him when he broke his fast. 69. Q. _Where did he find them?_ A. In the deer-park at Isipatana, near Benares. 70. Q. _Can the spot be now identified?_ A. Yes, a partly ruined stūpa, or dagoba, is still standing on that very spot. 71. Q. _Did those five companions readily listen to him?_ A. At first, no; but so great was the spiritual beauty of his appearance, so sweet and convincing his teaching, that they soon turned and gave him the closest attention. 72. Q. _What effect did this discourse have upon them?_