ght of the Great Renunciation. At first Gautama experimented with a life of ascetism, but found no solace in harsh penances. Finally he retired to the Bo tree, under which he sat for forty-nine days. As he meditated in solitude he experienced a spiritual awakening, known as "the enlightenment." He devoted the rest of his many years to the spread of his practices and ideas to better the lives of people everywhere.
             Buddha was said to be a kind, humble, charismatic and magnetic person. This is demonstrated by the fact that throughout his life, he and his followers lived off of the food and drink that was offered to them by townspeople as they walked through the villages. Never did Buddha farm or purchase his own food, but he always accepted what was offered to him. This was probably very helpful to his cause because he was able to spread his ideas and live comfortably while mingling with all different types of people. He was also very approachable, for he was a man who never claimed to be more than a man, and whose teachings were rooted in ideas of kindness and love towards everyone and everything. Furthermore this magnetism, the quality that drew other people to him, could be one of the reasons for the spread of Buddhism during Gautama's lifetime. One instance where the quality of a "charismatic leader" came into effect was when the Buddha was returning from the Bo tree and was on his way to the city of Benares to preach his first sermon. On the way he met five of his former companions in the Deer Park, whom he had renounced along with ascetic practices. "When these five saw... the Buddha coming towards them, they agreed... not to rise in salutation, nor greet him, nor offer the customary refreshments when he came, for he had broken his first vow by giving up acetic practices. However, when the Tathagata (Buddha) approached them, they involuntarily rose from their seats and in spite of their resolution greeted him and offer
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