the four sights

• Buddhism

  A religion based on the teachings of the Buddha.
• Buddha


  Enlightened One.
• Siddhartha Gautama


  Founder of Buddhism (Buddha).
• Prophecy

  A prediction of the future.
• Asita

  A Brahmin priest who prophesied Siddhartha was destined for greatness (either world leader or a spiritual one).
• Symbolism

  A device in literature where an object represents an idea.
• Anguttara Nikaya

  Describes how the Buddha was 'delicately nurtured'.
• The Four Sights

  Old age, sickness, death, holy man.
• The Four Sights - Old Age

  Siddhartha saw an old man and realised everyone ages.
• The Four Sights - Illness


  Siddhartha saw someone in pain and realised illness is part of life.
• The Four Sights - Death

  Siddhartha saw a funeral procession and realised that everyone will die.
• The Four Sights - A Holy Man

  Siddhartha saw a Holy Man with a peaceful expression. He thought that a spiritual answer to suffering was possible.
• Jakata Tales


  Stories about Buddha's past lives.