The chief of the Buddha’s followers, Ananda, attained the Eye of the Law at the first sermon he heard. Though for the next twenty-five years of active missionary life he heard Shakyamuni preach daily and was familiar with all major and minor points of his teachings, Ananda did not attain ultimate arhat enlightenment until three months after Shakyamuni’s death. In the collection of moral teachings known as the Dhammapada it is said, “Though a fool attend on a wise man all his life, he will no more comprehend the Law than a spoon understands the taste of the soup. An intelligent man who spends only a short time with a wise man will at once comprehend the Law, as the tongue understands the taste of the soup.” In spite of the importance of causes from previous existences, however, the suitability—or lack of it—of the person’s guide and the method of training and eagerness of the person himself affect the speed with which enlightenment is attained. (Page 118)