Changes

At the age of 29, Siddhartha left his palace in order to meet his subjects. Despite his father's effort to remove the sick, aged and suffering from the public view, Siddhartha was said to have seen an old man. Disturbed by this, when told that all people would eventually grow old by his charioteer [[Channa (Buddhist)|Channa]], the prince went on further trips where he encountered, variously, a [[disease]]d man, a decaying [[Body|corpse]], and an [[Asceticism|ascetic]]. Deeply depressed by these sights, he sought to overcome old age, illness, and death by living the life of an ascetic.

At the age of 29, Siddhartha left his palace in order to meet his subjects. Despite his father's effort to remove the sick, aged and suffering from the public view, Siddhartha was said to have seen an old man. Disturbed by this, when told that all people would eventually grow old by his charioteer [[Channa (Buddhist)|Channa]], the prince went on further trips where he encountered, variously, a [[disease]]d man, a decaying [[Body|corpse]], and an [[Asceticism|ascetic]]. Deeply depressed by these sights, he sought to overcome old age, illness, and death by living the life of an ascetic.

Siddhartha escaped his palace, accompanied by Channa aboard his horse [[Kanthaka]], leaving behind this royal life to become a [[mendicant]]. It is said that, "the horse's hooves were muffled by the gods"<ref>{{harvnb|Mahathera|1988|pp=15–16}}</ref> to prevent guards from knowing the Bodhisatta's departure. This event is known as "The Great Departure".

Siddhartha escaped his palace, accompanied by Channa aboard his horse [[Kanthaka]], leaving behind this royal life to become a [[mendicant]]. It is said that, "the horse's hooves were muffled by the gods" to prevent guards from knowing the Bodhisatta's departure. This event is known as "The Great Departure".

Siddhartha initially went to [[Rajgir|Rajagaha]] and began his ascetic life by begging for alms in the street. Having been recognised by the men of King [[Bimbisara]], Bimbisara offered him the throne after hearing of Siddhartha's quest. Siddhartha rejected the offer, but promised to visit his kingdom of [[Magadha]] first, upon attaining enlightenment.

Siddhartha initially went to [[Rajgir|Rajagaha]] and began his ascetic life by begging for alms in the street. Having been recognised by the men of King [[Bimbisara]], Bimbisara offered him the throne after hearing of Siddhartha's quest. Siddhartha rejected the offer, but promised to visit his kingdom of [[Magadha]] first, upon attaining enlightenment.