the four sights and renunciation - the prince’s request

PKSSSS CY2010 Level: J4Lesson 4: The Four Sights and Renunciation

- Chapter 5: The Four Sights- Chapter 6: Renunciation

The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Prince’s Request

• Prince requested to visit a beautiful park outside the palace.

• King agreed and made a lot of preparations to decorate the road that the prince will travel, to give him a warm welcome.

• All beggars, very old and sick people were kept away.

• King intention’s was to let the prince see only pleasant and happy sights.

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The Four Sights and Renunciation- The First Sight: Old Age

• 1st outing with his faithful charioteer, Chandaka.

• Prince saw an old man who is weak, grey hair, no teeth.

• He was stunned as he never saw an old person before.

• He realized that old age destroy memory, beauty, courage and cause suffering.

• Prince was full of sorrow and returned to palace.


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The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Second Sight: Sickness

• 2nd outing to the park again after the king agreed.

• No special decorations and crowds to welcome him.

• The prince saw a sick man which he never saw before.

• He realized sickness causes suffering and yet people were not disturbed.

• The prince returned back to the palace again.


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The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Third Sight: Death

• 3rd outing to the park. King arranged some entertainment in the park.

• The prince saw a funeral on the way to the park.

• He was surprised, confused and sad. He never knew that death could happen to everyone.

• Prince was in deep sorrow and asked to returned to the palace.

• However, they continue to the park as the King have arranged for the entertainment.


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The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Fourth Sight: Renunciation

• The prince was not impressed with the music and dance.

• He was occupied with the problem of old age, sickness and death.

• While deep in thought, he saw a monk who appeared very serene and happy.

• The monk explained to the prince his way of life and the purpose of his renunciation.

• The prince became aware that there could be a way to end suffering.

• To find the solution (the Truth) to end suffering, he had to leave the palace.


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The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Prince’s Four Sights

The Four Sights– Old Age– Sickness– Death– Renunciation


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The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Birth of Rahula

• When the prince was deeply disturbed by the suffering of life and the need to find a solution.

• He was informed that his wife, Yashodhara have given birth to a healthy boy.

• Prince was not overjoyed and he exclaimed “A bond has come into being!”.

• King heard the Prince remark and name his grandson “Rahula” means “bond”.


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The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Night of His Departure

• King was aware of the Prince thoughts on suffering of life.

• He invited musicians, dancers and singers to keep the prince entertained.

• The prince was too concerned with the suffering in life, he was not interested in the entertainment and go to sleep.

• When he woked up, he saw the ugly sight of the court entertainers sleeping around him like corpses in a graveyard, he realized the impermanence of beauty.


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The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Night of His Departure

• The prince was now determined to leave his family and kingdom no matter how painful is the separation.

• Out of compassion for all beings, he decided to leave the palace to find the Truth that would end suffering of life.

• After a final look at his wife and son, he silently left the palace accompanied by his charioteer.


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The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Renunciation

• In the silence of the night, Prince Siddhartha accompanied by Chandaka left the palace.

• They stopped at a river some distance from the city , the prince took off his expensive clothing, cut his hair and put on the robes of a monk.

• Then he told Chandaka to take the horse back to the palace and informed the King.

• The prince was twenty-nine years old then when he renounced the world life.

• Prince refused to return to the palace despite the pleas of the king’s messangers.

• Five of these men accompanied the Prince in his search for the Truth.


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The Four Sights and Renunciation- The First Meeting with King Bimbisara

• The monk Gautama walked south to the city of Rajagriha, the capital of the Magadha country.

• The people were impressed by the monk Gautama majestic and serene appearance.

• The king of this country was named Bimbisara. He went to meet the monk Gautama, invited him to stay in his country and offered half of his kingdom.

• The monk Gautama rejected Bimbisara offer, this show the determination in renouncing the world life.

• King Bimbisara was deeply touched and requested to be monk Gautama disciple once he had found the Truth.


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Summary


• Prince Siddhartha saw the four sights – an old age, a sick man, a dead person and a monk.

• These sights have caused him to reflect on the problems of suffering.• He knew that he have to leave the palace to find the solution (the

Truth) to end the suffering of life.• A son was born to Prince Siddhartha and was named Rahula (bond).• The prince renounced the worldly life when he was twenty-nine year

old and began his life as a monk.• Upon reaching Rajagriha, the monk Gautama met King Bimbisara

who offered him half of his kingdom.• Monk Gautama rejected King Bimbisara offer because he is

determined to seek for the Truth to end the suffering of life.

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Crossword Puzzle Game

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1. Prince Siddhartha encountered ____ sights during his few trips.

2. Prince Siddhartha name his son ______.

3. Prince Siddhartha first meeting with King _________ after he renounced the worldly life..

4. The prince stay in the Royal ______.

5. The Fourth sight was ___________.

6. The Third sight was _____.

7. The Second sight was ________.

8. The First sight was ______.

Crossword Puzzle Game - Hints

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Crossword Puzzle Game - Answer

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the four sights and renunciation - the prince’s request

Documents

renunciationthe prince

prince thoughts

prince remark

happy sights

sights chapter

renunciation chapter

suffering of life

old man