The Story of Buddha (1 of 3) - The Four Signs (四跡象)

I recently read some stories about Buddha. Although I'm a Catholic, I found these stories very interesting and inspirational.

The word 'Buddha' (菩薩) means 'the awakened one' or 'the enlightened one' - one who discovers the truth of life. As such, anyone who reaches the stage of understanding the true nature of life (awakens or attains enlightenment in Buddhism terms) can be called a Buddha. Our stories are about Gautama Buddha (釋迦牟尼) who was the founder of Buddhism more than 2500 years ago. He is generally regarded as the Supreme Buddha (佛祖) or simply called 'The Buddha'. Like Jesus, Buddha was a real person.

Siddhartha Gautama was born in about 563 BC (exact date not known) as a prince, son of King Sudhodana and Queen Maya in ancient India. His mother, Queen Maya died just a week after his birth. His father, King Sudhodana loved him very much. The King was determined to have his only son to become the future king of the country, and provided all the best things possible to prepare him for this role. So Siddhartha grew up in a very comfortable environment. He was handsome and intelligent. At the age of 16, he was married to Princess Yasodhara whom he loved. In order to keep all the unpleasant things away from Siddhartha so he could concentrate on becoming a great ruler, the King built three palaces for the couple; one for summer, one for rainy season and one for winter. Siddhartha was kept in these beautiful palaces, surrounded by luxury and happiness but separated from the rest of the world.
When Siddhartha was 29 years old, one day an idea suddenly came to his mind that he wanted to go out of the palace and have a look of the world outside. The King, still wanting to surround him with only happiness, ordered the streets to be swept and decorated, and any ugly and sad sights to be removed. Despite the King's effort, there were four incidents Siddhartha encountered as he was traveling through the streets with his servant, Channa.
First, he saw a man among the crowds. The man's face and body was withered. His eyes were clouded and his mouth was toothless. Siddhartha was shocked by the man's appearance. He asked Channa, "What's wrong with him?" Channa replied, "Nothing. He's just old, my lord. Old age destroys beauty, memory and strength." Siddhartha shook his head sadly and walked on. That was the First Sign - OLD AGE.
As they walked further, they saw a woman lying in a shelter. The woman was pale, very weak and had an expression of great pain. Siddhartha asked, "What's happening to her?" Channa answered, "She's sick, my Lord. When reaching the moment of death, everybody has to fall into sickness at least once." That was the Second Sign - SICKNESS.
Siddhartha said to Channa, "Show me death. I want to see death." Channa then led him to a funeral place where a corpse was lying on the ground, and people were beginning to cremate it with fire. Channa said to Siddhartha, "Death is the moment of separation, my Lord. It happens to every person and every family." Siddhartha looked at the cremation with awe. That was the Third Sign - DEATH.
Siddhartha was very depressed as he walked on slowly. He was contemplating the scenes he saw before finally running into a monk along the road. "Who are you?" he asked the monk. "I'm a seeker of truth. I'm looking for freedom from pain and unhappiness." replied the monk. "And do you think you can find it?" asked Siddhartha eagerly. "Is it possible?" The monk replied, "I can but try. It is for that I live." The monk bowed to the prince and continued to walk on. That was the Fourth Sign - SEEKER OF TRUTH.
That day, Siddhartha realized things beyond happiness for the first time. He now knew everybody would grow old and become ill even one was still young like himself. Death was unavoidable. No matter how happy one might be today, such happiness would not and could not last for ever. That day, he learned much about suffering and discovered compassion. The Four Signs had aroused in him the thought that an answer must be sought about life and suffering. He too needed to become a seeker of truth. He had to take up the task of finding ways to end all these sufferings, and he wanted to do it for himself and for everyone. As Siddhartha walked slowly back to the palace, he had already made up his mind.
That very night, his son, Rahula was born. In spite of his love for the family, he was determined to free himself from them so that he could begin his quest for answers. He knew his work would take the rest of his life. He would have no time to spare for his family and for becoming a ruler of his country. Very late that night while everyone was asleep, he took a final look of his wife and his son, and to the palace. He rode off with a white horse and with his servant Channa, and left the palace. When they reached to the wilderness, Siddhartha cut off his hair and bid farewell to Channa and the horse. He then went into the forest alone by himself, for his quest of knowledge, truth and answers of life and suffering.

There and then, Siddhartha's long journey to enlightenment had so begun ..........................