Buddhist traditions, Nivedita and Coomaraswamy
Four Sights
The prince first encounters an old man and asks whether age is one person’s fate or a condition shared by all. His charioteer’s answer turns an unfamiliar body into knowledge of his own future. Further excursions bring an ill person, a corpse and a begging monk who explains his search for equanimity. The sequence joins recognition of suffering with an example of another way of living.
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In the sources
Principal account
TraditionalThe prince first encounters an old man and asks whether age is one person’s fate or a condition shared by all. His charioteer’s answer turns an unfamiliar body into knowledge of his own future.
Further detail
TraditionalFurther excursions bring an ill person, a corpse and a begging monk who explains his search for equanimity. The sequence joins recognition of suffering with an example of another way of living.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows the staged-sights legend in the collection, whose introductory account also allows a less dramatically arranged awakening to suffering. The supernatural staging is kept as part of the retelling.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists
does this fate come to all alikeOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists (1914), active reader leaf 319
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0109-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0109-E001-P0319
- Original scan leaf
- 319
- Recorded leaf number
- 319
- Current Reader position
- 310
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists
beheld a begging monkOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists (1914), active reader leaf 319
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0109-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0109-E001-P0319
- Original scan leaf
- 319
- Recorded leaf number
- 319
- Current Reader position
- 310
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Channa
The charioteer who explains the prince’s first encounters with suffering and accompanies his departure.
Shared source pageSuddhodana
The Shakya king who tries to preserve his son’s royal future by shielding him from suffering.
Same subject and traditionGreat Departure of Siddhartha
The night journey that leaves palace, family and expected kingship behind.