In
this unit: Despite
his father's best intentions, Prince Siddhartha discovered
the true nature of the human condition. During an excursion
outside the palace walls, he saw things that caused him
to think deeply about all the suffering in the world.
He knew then that he would have to radically change his
life in order to find the answers he was looking for.
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| To
stop the prince from thinking about leaving home,
King Suddhodana built a pleasure palace for Siddhartha
and Yasodhara. Dancers and singers entertained them,
and only young people were allowed into the palace.
The king did not want Siddhartha to know that everybody
gets sick, grows old and will die. But the prince
was not happy. He wanted to know what life was like
for people who lived outside the palace walls. |
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The
Four Sights
After
some time the prince was not happy living in the palace.
He wanted to go outside and see how other people lived.
He went out with his attendant, Channa. They left the
palace four times.
On
the first trip, the prince saw an old man. He came to
know that everyone had to grow old.
On
the second trip, the prince saw a sick man. He came to
know that everyone could get sick any time.
On
the third trip, he saw a dead body. He knew that everyone
would have to die one day.
On
the fourth trip, the prince saw a monk who was happy and
calm. He made up his mind to leave home so that he could
help people to find peace and happiness.
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The
Prince Leaves Home
Siddhartha
went quietly to see his newborn son for the last
time. His wife was sleeping with the baby beside
her, her hand resting on the baby's head. The prince
said to himself, "If I try to move her hand
so I can take the child for one last cuddle I fear
I will wake her and she will prevent me from going.
No! I must go, but when I have found what I am looking
for, I shall come back and see him and his mother
again."
Siddhartha left the palace. It was midnight, and
the prince was on his white horse Kanthaka with
Channa, his faithful servant, holding on to its
tail. He was going away to try to understand old
age, sickness and death. He rode to the bank of
a river and dismounted from his horse.
He removed his jewellery and princely clothes and
gave them to Channa to return to the king. Then
the prince took his sword and cut his long hair,
put on monks robes, took a begging bowl and told
Channa to go back with Kanthaka to the palace.
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Congratulations!
Now that you have
finished unit 2, why not see what you
have learned by doing the unit 2 Quiz?
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Launch
Quiz |
Note: Quiz uses
Flash 6.0 |
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