The Four Sights and Renunciation - The Prince’s Request

1. PKSSSS CY2010 Level: J4Lesson 4: The Four Sights and Renunciation- Chapter 5: The Four Sights - Chapter 6: Renunciation

2. Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching 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. Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 1

3. Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching • 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. The Four Sights and Renunciation- The First Sight: Old Age Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 2

4. Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching • 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. The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Second Sight: Sickness Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 3

5. Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching 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. Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 4

6. Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching • 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. The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Fourth Sight: Renunciation Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 5

7. Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching The Four Sights • Old Age • Sickness • Death • Renunciation The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Prince’s Four Sights Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 6

8. Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching 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”. Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 7

9. Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching • 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. The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Night of His Departure Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 8

10. Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching 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. Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 9

11. Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching • 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. The Four Sights and Renunciation- The Renunciation Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 10

12. Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching • 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. The Four Sights and Renunciation- The First Meeting with King Bimbisara Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 11

13. Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching • 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. Summary Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 12

14. 2 1 7 3 6 5 8 4 Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching Crossword Puzzle Game Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 13

15. Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching • Prince Siddhartha encountered ____ sights during his few trips. • Prince Siddhartha name his son ______. • Prince Siddhartha first meeting with King _________ after he renounced the worldly life.. • The prince stay in the Royal ______. • The Fourth sight was ___________. • The Third sight was _____. • The Second sight was ________. • The First sight was ______. Crossword Puzzle Game - Hints Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 14

16. 2 1 7 3 6 5 8 4 Search for Truth Final Nirvana BIRTH Growing Up & Four Encounters Renunciation Enlightenment Teaching Crossword Puzzle Game - Answer Learn.Practice.Realise.Share. Page 15