I used to think that this was about being humble and meek - but the more that I've learned what enlightenment actually is, the more I realize why he said that. I actually prefer the term "awakened" to "enlightened", since the word Buddha means "one who is awake". The Buddha described who he was, and what Buddhism is about, in terms of awareness - that while everyone goes about their daily lives of working and eating and playing and sleeping, etc, those who practice the dharma know that they are working and eating and playing and sleeping.
So, can I ever be enlightened? The answer, I'm realizing is no! That has sounded quite shocking to my Buddhist discussion group - a multi-faith group.
Being awake is being aware of the inter-being-ness of all things - and in unity, where is the "I"? Who is awake? It would be like saying to a group of people who are living in a dark building that just because I have gone outside and have seen the sun, that I am different or special, advanced spiritualy or unique.
The sun is always there, even though it's obscured from my sight at times - opening my eyes is merely shifting my awareness to the Truth. I'm learning to language all this in terms of my personal responsibility - why am i choosing not to open my eyes today? When I know those reasons, I can open my eyes once and for all.
