FROM THE TIBETAN AUTHORITIES. 



291 



VI. — He left his house and took the leligious character. 



Shakya is stated to have passed 29 years in the court of Shudhodana 

 his father, enjoying during that time all worldly pleasures. Afterwards 

 the following circumstances determine him to take the religious character. 



Riding in a carriage to the grove for his recreation, he observes at dif- 

 ferent occasions — an old-man ; — a sick person ; — a corpse, and lastly a man 

 in a religious garb. He talks with his groom about those persons, and 

 turns back at each occasion, and gives himself to meditation, on old age, 

 sickness, death, and on the religious state. He visits a village of the 

 agriculturists, observes their wretched condition, meditates in the shade 

 of a Jambu tree. That shade out of respect for him, ceases to change with 

 the progress of the sun. On his way home, many hoarded treasures 

 open and offers themselves to him. He rejects them. 



Notwithstanding all the vigilance of his father and of his relations to 

 prevent him from leaving the court, (since according to the predictions 

 regarding him they hope, that he shall become an universal monarch) he 

 finds means for leaving the royal residence. At midnight mounting his 

 horse called the "Praiseworthy" (Tib. 'Bsnags-ldan) he rides for six miles; 

 then, dismounting, he sends back, by the servant, the horse and all the orna- 

 ments he had : and directs him to tell his father and his relations not to be 

 grieved on his departure ; for when he shall have found the supreme 

 wisdom he will return and console them. Upon the servant's return there 

 was great lamentation in the court of Shudhodana. 



With his own sword Shakya cuts off the hair of his head ; he then 

 changes his fine linen clothes for a common garment of a dark-red colour, 

 presented by Indra in disguise of a hunter. He commences his peregrination, 

 and successively goes to Rdjagriha in Magadha. The King Vimbasara or 

 Shrenika (in Tib. Gzugs-chan-snying-po) having seen him from his 

 palace is much pleased with his manners. Afterwards being informed of 

 him by his domestics, visits him ; has a long conversation with him, and 

 offers him means for living according to his pleasure. He will not 



