#(Buddha) 08 Sight Of An Old Man

Life in the pleasure palace Became stale for the prince. For a change, quite often, He visited the pleasure garden. These visits gave him not The experience what he sought. He looked for something else Outside the palace four walls. How long his father Could act as a barrier Against his son’s desire To go out everywhere? He gave one chance, Allowing the prince, To have a short visit, In a decorated chariot. He ordered his subjects, “All unpleasant objects Should be kept far away From his son’s pathway.” “No monk, sick, old, or dead Shall move on the roads, When he goes in his chariot, On his maiden visit.” All roads were cleaned. And houses decorated. Welcoming his arrival, People celebrated as a festival. In a four-horse-driven-chariot, Siddhartha left by the East gate. The outside world’s smell Gave him a kind of thrill. People had a glimpse Of their royal prince, Some gave him cheers. Some shed joyful tears. To the lovely prince, It was a new experience. He was looking around With joy and spellbound. Suddenly he had seen, At a distance, an old man, Who had an ugly look, Walking with a stick. His charioteer, he asked then “Who’s that odd looking man? Why are his eyes sunken? Where’ve his teeth gone? ” Channa, his charioteer told, “He’s a man, now too old To do any kind of work, Also cannot steadily walk.” “As a child he was born. He grew up as youth then. Later, he became an old man. This is end of man or woman.” With this first experience, He returned to the palace. He was curious to find More from the outside world.