Before the Buddha’s enlightenment people abstained from akusala by the observance of síla and they could, by the development of samatha, temporarily subdue defilements (vikkhambhana pahana) . They could cultivate samatha even to the highest stage of arupa-jhana, the stage of “neither-perception-nor-non-perception.” However, nobody could eradicate the inherent tendencies, the anusaya kilesas. The Buddha, after he had accumulated the perfections (paramis) for four incalculable periods of time and a hundred thousand aeons, attained Buddhahood and thereby became the Samma-sambuddha, who is unsurpassed in wisdom. He taught the way that should be followed to realise the Ariyan Truths.