The king then added many more superior and exquisite sensual pleasures, hoping to delight the prince's heart with day and night entertainment.

The prince deeply detested and rejected them, feeling no joy or attachment at all. He only contemplated the suffering of birth and death, like a lion pierced by an arrow.

The king sent his ministers, noble sons and famous youths, with handsome young faces, wise and well-mannered, to accompany the prince day and night, hoping to win his heart.

Not long after, the prince requested the king's permission to go out again. Riding a swift-footed horse, adorned with precious ornaments, he went out of the city surrounded by the noble youths.

Like four kinds of flowers blooming under the sun, the prince's radiant presence illuminated his followers.

They left the city to wander in gardens and groves, on broad and level paths, among lush trees, flowers, and fruits, so delightful that he forgot to return.

By the roadside, he saw farmers tilling the soil, killing many insects. His heart was filled with compassion, the pain sharper than a piercing arrow.

He also saw those farmers, toiling with withered, weary bodies, their hair disheveled, sweat streaming, their bodies covered in dust.

The plowing oxen were also exhausted, tongues hanging out, panting heavily. The prince, by nature compassionate, felt profound pity and sorrow.

He sighed deeply, lowered himself, and sat on the ground, observing all this suffering, contemplating the nature of arising and ceasing.

"Alas, all beings in the world, deluded and unaware, are comforted by worldly pleasures, each sitting wherever they please."

He himself sat in the shade of a rose apple tree, sitting upright in deep contemplation, observing the cycle of birth and death, its impermanent rise and fall.

His mind became settled and unmoving, the five sensual desires scattered like clouds. With mindfulness and investigation, he entered the first stage of meditation free from defilements.

Free from desire, he experienced joy and bliss, absorbed in right concentration. "The world is full of suffering, afflicted by aging, sickness, and death.

Enduring great suffering throughout life, yet unaware of it. To detest others' aging, sickness, and death is a great fault.

Now I seek the supreme Dharma, I should not be like ordinary people, who, themselves subject to aging, sickness, and death, yet despise them in others."

With such true insight, he saw youth, strength, and life as constantly changing, ultimately bound to decay.

Neither joyful nor sorrowful, neither doubting nor disturbed, neither sleeping nor clinging to desires, neither harming nor resenting others, serene and free from hindrances, his wisdom grew brighter.

Then a deity from the Pure Abodes transformed into a monk's form and came to where the prince was. The prince respectfully rose to greet him, asking, "Who are you?" He replied, "I am a renunciant.

Fearful of aging, sickness, and death, I left home seeking liberation. All beings are subject to aging, sickness, and death, decaying without pause.

Therefore, I seek eternal bliss, without cessation or birth, with an equal mind toward friend and foe, not pursuing wealth or sensual pleasures.

My only refuge is the mountains and forests, empty and tranquil, free from worldly affairs. Worldly thoughts have ceased, I dwell in solitude and stillness, without discriminating between fine or coarse, begging for food to sustain my body."

Then, right before the prince, he lightly rose and vanished into the sky.

The prince's heart rejoiced, remembering the past Buddhas who established this noble way, their legacy still visible today.

Sitting upright in contemplation, he attained right understanding of the Dharma. "What means should I employ to fulfill my long-held wish to leave home?"

Restraining his emotions and senses, he slowly rose and returned to the city. His attendants followed him, thinking he would not go far.

Secretly, his compassionate resolve grew, desiring to transcend the world. Though his body returned along the road, his heart remained in the mountains and forests, like a wild elephant tied up, always longing to roam the open wilderness.

When the prince entered the city, men and women lined the streets to welcome him. The elderly wished him as a son, the young wished him as a husband, some wished him as a brother, or as a close relative.

"If I were to follow their wishes, all hopes and attachments would be cut off." The prince's heart rejoiced, suddenly hearing the call to end attachments. "If I am to fulfill this wish, this aspiration must be realized." Deeply contemplating the joy of ending attachments, his resolve for Nirvana grew stronger.

His body like a golden mountain peak, his arms strong as an elephant's trunk, his voice like spring thunder, his deep blue eyes like a bull king's. His heart was set on the boundless Dharma, his face like the full moon's radiance. Like a lion king pacing, he slowly entered his palace.

Like a son of a heavenly king, respectful in heart and form, he went to his father the king, bowed and inquired of his well-being, then spoke of the fear of birth and death, pleading earnestly to leave home.

"All beings in the world, though they meet, must part. Therefore, I wish to leave home, to seek true liberation."

When the king heard of his wish to leave home, his heart trembled with great fear, like a great mad elephant shaking a small tree branch.

He took the prince's hand, tears flowing, and said: "Stop this talk, now is not the time for the Dharma. In youth, the mind is easily swayed, practicing the Dharma may bring many faults.

You have not yet grown weary of the wondrous five sensual pleasures. To leave home and practice austerities, your mind is not yet resolved.

In empty, desolate wilderness, your mind may not find peace. Though your heart delights in the Dharma, it is not yet as ready as mine was.

You should govern the kingdom, let me leave home first. To abandon your father and cut off the lineage, this would be improper.

Set aside the thought of leaving home, learn the ways of the world. Enjoy peace, happiness, and good reputation, then you may leave home."

The prince replied humbly, again addressing his father: "Only if you can guarantee four things, will I set aside the thought of leaving home.

Guarantee that my life will last forever, that I will not fall ill or grow old, that my possessions will not diminish, then I will obey and stop seeking to leave home."

The king told the prince: "Do not speak such words. Who can guarantee these four things? If you seek these four assurances, you will only be laughed at.

Set aside the thought of leaving home, indulge in the five sensual pleasures."

The prince replied again to the king: "Since these four cannot be guaranteed, please allow your son to leave home, do not hinder me.

If your son is in a burning house, why not let him escape? Separation is the constant principle, who can forbid the search for liberation?

If decay and death come naturally, better to leave through the Dharma. If not through the Dharma, when death comes, who can withstand it?"

The king knew his son's mind was firm and unshakable, so he could only try his best to keep him, what more was there to say?

He added more palace maidens, superior sensual pleasures, guarding him day and night, determined not to let him leave home.

The ministers of the kingdom came to where the prince was, citing rituals and laws extensively, urging him to obey the king's command.

The prince saw his father, sad and moved, tears flowing, then returned to his palace, sitting upright in silent contemplation.

The palace maidens drew close, surrounding and attending him, watching his expression intently, their eyes not leaving him for a moment.

Like deer in an autumn forest staring at a hunter, the prince's dignified appearance was like a mountain of pure gold.

The female entertainers watched him closely, awaiting his instruction, observing his expression, respectful yet cautious of his heart, like those forest deer.

Gradually, evening approached.

The prince in the quiet night shone with brilliant light, like the sun illuminating Mount Sumeru. Sitting on a seven-jeweled throne, perfumed with fine sandalwood, surrounded by palace maidens, with Gandharva music playing, like the son of a heavenly king, with divine melodies filling the air.

Yet the prince's heart was set on the supreme joy of renunciation. Though surrounded by beautiful music, it did not touch his heart.

Then a deity from the Pure Abodes, knowing the prince's time had come, that he was determined to leave home, suddenly descended in transformation, causing all the female entertainers to fall into deep sleep.

Their appearances unkempt, lying sprawled, revealing ugly forms, drowsy, heads nodding, musical instruments scattered about.

Some leaned sideways or lay on their backs, some as if fallen into a deep pit, their jewelry like dragging chains, their clothes tangled around their bodies.

One hugged a lute and lay on the ground, like a person in torment, her yellow-green robes in disarray, like crushed flowers.

Another lay against the wall, like a drawn bow, or with hands clutching the window, like a hanged corpse.

Some groaned, yawning long, snoring, drooling, disheveled, revealing ugly forms, looking like madwomen.

Flower garlands covered their faces, some pressed their faces to the ground, some trembled all over, like a solitary shaking bird.

Bodies piled on each other, limbs intertwined, some frowning, brows furrowed, some eyes closed, mouths open, all kinds of disarray, like scattered corpses.

The prince sat upright, observing all the palace maidens: "Before, they were all extremely elegant, with charming smiles and flattering hearts, seductive and skillful in their allure. But now they are all ugly and foul.

Such is the nature of women, how can one be close to them? They bathe and adorn themselves, deceiving and confusing men's hearts. Now I have awakened, determined to leave without doubt."

At that moment, the Pure Abode Deities descended to open the gates for him.

The Prince arose calmly, passing through the ranks of palace maidens. He paused within the inner chamber and spoke to Channa: "My heart now thirsts, longing to drink from the nectar spring. Bring forth the horse swiftly—I seek the land of immortality. My resolve is firm, my vow steadfast and solemn. These maidens, once fair, now appear to me as forms of decay. The gates, once barred, now open of their own accord. These signs reveal the true meaning, the pointer to the ultimate truth."

Channa pondered inwardly—he ought to obey the Prince's command, yet feared his father the King would learn of it and hold him deeply accountable. But the deities, with their divine power, caused him to lead the horse forth without hesitation.

A noble steed it was, adorned with treasures, with a high crest and long flowing tail, a compact back and short-haired ears, a deer-like belly, a goose-king's neck, a broad forehead and round gourd-shaped nose, a dragon's throat, square chest and flanks—possessing all marks of an exceptional horse.

The Prince stroked the horse's neck, caressed its body, and declared: "My father the King has often ridden you to victory in battle. Now I rely on you to journey far to the nectar shore. In worldly combat, many companions follow; in pursuit of pleasure, crowds gather. Merchants seeking treasure attract many followers. But in hardship, true friends are rare; in seeking the Dharma, companions are few. Those who can endure these two—hardship and the solitary quest— will ultimately attain peace and good fortune. I now set forth to liberate suffering beings. If you wish your own benefit while aiding all living creatures, exert your strength to the fullest; press onward without weariness."

Having urged the horse, he mounted gently, took the reins, and departed at dawn. His form flowed like the sun's chariot; the horse floated like a white cloud. Restrained in movement, not rushing; holding its breath, not snorting or neighing. Four deities came to lift its hooves, in secrecy and perfect silence. Heavy gates, firmly locked, were opened by heavenly beings.

No reverence surpasses that for a father; no love runs deeper than for a son. All relatives, within and without, are bound by tender affection. Yet he cast aside all attachments, without a trace of lingering thought, and soared beyond the city walls. Like a pure lotus blossom rising from muddy waters, he gazed back at his father's palace and spoke his parting words: "Until I transcend birth, aging, and death, I shall not return."

All hosts of deities, dragons, and spirits in the sky rejoiced and praised, crying, "Excellent! These are words of truth." The heavenly and dragon spirits, celebrating this rare resolve, each shone with their own light to guide and illuminate his path.

With hearts sharp and intent, man and horse sped forth like a shooting star. Before the east had brightened with dawn, they had traveled three yojanas.