Thursday, September 26, 2019

Reading Notes: The Life of Buddha Part B

Sid is preparing to leave. He instructs Chandaka to bring him his horse because he is on the road to deliverance.

His horse carries him a great distance when they arrive at a secluded wood. Sid gives Chan a necklace to give to the king. He tells Chan to tell his father to believe in him. Sid says "tell him that I seek a place among the gods." Chan pleads with Sid. He says if you must cause the kingdom this much grief can you not make me be the bearer of bad news? "Please don't forsake us Sid."

Sid stays silent then says that they must go their own ways. He tries to comfort Chan by telling him that even if he didn't leave death would separate them one day anyway. Then Sid takes Chan's swords and cuts off his hair in one swipe of the blade. A hunter appears and Sid asks to trade his fancy robes for the hunters reddish garments. The hunter agrees and Sid sets out on his path to hermitage.

Gopa awoke in the middle of the night, and she cannot find her prince. The more she looks the more frantic she becomes. She cries out to him, but never gets a response. She wakes the maidens and has them search for Sid, but they too cannot find him. His companions hopelessly try to console her. The king finds out what has happened and he has the gates to the city shut. He has the whole kingdom searched, but also comes up empty-handed.

Finally Chan returns with Sid's jewelry. He tells the horseman looking for Sid that no one could convince him to come back. Chan tells the king what has happened to his son. Mahaprajapti saw the jewels and took them. She threw them into a pool in the garden. Sid's horse returns to the stables and dies of sadness.

tree nature forest path wilderness wood trail solitude brown soil dead trees woods secluded seasonal wetland woodland quiet habitat ecosystem forest road natural environment woody plant
A secluded part of the woods. Source
Bibliography
The Life of Buddha by Andre Ferdinand Herold. https://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/myth-folklore-unit-life-of-buddha.html

No comments:

Post a Comment