The Four Sights and the Great Departure Flashcards
Why did Siddhartha want to leave royal grounds
He was set on a path of discovering the truth behind the world’s suffering and was inspired by an ascetic to sacrifice his luxuries, his family and his power in order to become holy
What did Siddhartha see and realise in terms of the first sight
Siddhartha saw an elderly man with a head of white hair and a hunched back, who was struggling to walk. He realised that old age affects everyone
What did Siddhartha see and realise in terms of the second sight
Siddhartha saw a sick man who was groaning in pain. He realised that everyone experiences illnesses, and some might even end up passing from them
What did Siddhartha see and realise in terms of the third sight
Siddhartha saw a dead man’s body on the street and realised that every being in the world is fated to die and yet no one really thinks about the deeper meaning or true disadvantage death brings about
What did Siddhartha see and realise in terms of the fourth sight
Siddhartha finally saw an ascetic (holy man) who told him about how he had given up his luxuries and family to live a simple life focused on religious practices
What was the Great Departure
When Siddhartha left royal grounds and abandoned his life of luxury to find an answer for suffering. Before he left, he cut his hair and took a last look at Yosadara (his wife)
