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“What is a mendicant?” The charioteer replied, “A mendicant is one who remains detached from the world and stays immersed in meditation. He shuns worldly pleasures and attachments. He has overcome the sorrows of old age, disease and death.” This discourse about the life of a mendicant was very pleasing and consoling to Prince Siddhartha.
Inspired by this exemplar of renunciation, Siddhartha approached his father with great respect and requested: “Father, now that your grandson has been born, please give me permission to renounce this householder's life as my heart feels no pleasure in these worldly things.” The king was utterly shocked and tried to persuade Siddhartha with various arguments. Still determined, Siddhartha further asked: “Father, if you could find me a remedy for these four ailments I will abandon my desire to leave the palace life. These four issues are as following: I should never die, never become old, never experience sickness and never face any kind of deficiency. The King replied: “All these matters concern the natural laws. Who is there that has control over these things?” The king refused to give him permission to leave.
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