His name was Siddhartha. It means ‘he who has achieved his goal’. He was of the clan Gautama, predominantly rice farmers. And fairly well off rice farmers it would seem, as Siddhartha was a prince and lived his young life in luxury.

His father wanted only the best for Siddhartha, and shielded him from the death, disease, and decay to which we are all subject. He never saw anyone who was not young and healthy and in the prime of life. He spent his time in contemplation, reflecting on the world to the point where he could best anyone in mental prowess.

Eventually Siddhartha took a wife, his cousin Yasodhara, and with her he fathered a son, Rahula. But despite his loving family, his wit, his physical strength, and his abundant wealth and possessions, Siddhartha wanted more. He craved knowledge and wisdom, and eventually his father relented and let the prince tour the kingdom with his charioteer and friend, Channa.

The two of them came across an elderly man, moving slowly and supported by a cane. Siddhartha, having never seen the effects of old age, asked Channa if the same would happen to him. His friend told him that it would, that everyone will wither and slow with age.

Soon they came across another man who was overcome with disease. Siddhartha inquired again if this was common, if the same would happen to him as well. Channa affirmed his friend’s fears. Siddhartha realized that everyone can succumb to disease, to have their body waste away and suffer.

Seeing his friend growing more and more despondent, Channa turned the chariot around toward the safety of the palace. But while on the road they came across a dead man, a decaying corpse. Horrified, Siddhartha realized that this is what awaited him and every other living thing in this world. No matter how much wealth and power he accumulated, no matter how much knowledge he acquired, nor how deeply and fully he loved those close to him; he and everything he cherished would end.

Siddhartha must have been quite shaken by these illuminating events. But near the end of the journey they passed a samana- a traveling ascetic whose only possessions were his robes and a small bowl for collecting food and alms. As Siddhartha passed by this calm individual, he was taken aback by the happiness and contentment he seemed to display, despite all the suffering he must have surely witnessed in the world.

In that moment Siddhartha gained an even greater insight. That despite all the horrible suffering and mortality he had witnessed, there was still a way to be happy, a way to find peace in a changing world.